With Samsung's Galaxy S26 series launch imminent, the company is offering significant discounts on its current flagship foldables and tablets, while Apple's iPad lineup sees modest price cuts ahead of potential M5-based updates.
The mobile tech market is in a familiar pre-launch lull. Samsung's Galaxy S26 series is confirmed for a February unveiling, which means the current S25 models are holding steady without a final discount. However, the company's foldable and tablet lines are seeing more aggressive pricing, likely because their replacement cycles are longer. The Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Fold7 won't be updated until the second half of the year, giving Samsung a clear window to move inventory.
Foldables Get a Final Push
The Galaxy Z Flip7, Samsung's popular clamshell foldable, is available with either a straightforward $200 discount or a trade-in credit of up to $600. This brings the 12/256GB model down to $900 directly from Samsung. The Z Fold7, the larger book-style foldable, sees a more substantial $350 straight discount or up to $1,000 in trade-in credit. The base 12GB/256GB model is priced at $1,650 after the discount.
These discounts are significant because foldables remain a premium category. The Z Flip7's $900 price point after discount is still higher than many flagship slab phones, but it's the most accessible entry into Samsung's foldable ecosystem. The Z Fold7's discount is even more critical—it's a $2,000+ device at full price, so a $350 cut makes it more palatable for power users who want its multitasking capabilities and S Pen support.
For context, these devices run Android 15 with One UI 7, offering features like Flex Mode for the Z Flip7 and enhanced multi-window support on the Fold7. The ecosystem lock-in is real: if you're invested in Samsung's ecosystem with Galaxy Buds, Watch, or Tab, these foldables integrate seamlessly with features like Quick Share and Auto Switch.
Tablet Refresh: Samsung's S Series Gets a Mid-Cycle Boost
Samsung has quietly upgraded its S Lite tablet line with the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite. This 10.9-inch tablet uses an LCD panel (2,112 x 1,320px, 90Hz) and is powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset. It has an 8,000mAh battery with 25W charging and, importantly, expandable storage via microSD. The 6/128GB model is discounted to $280, while the 8/256GB version is $350.
The Tab S10 Lite is positioned as a budget-friendly entry into Samsung's tablet ecosystem. It supports Samsung DeX, though not the full desktop experience. It's a solid choice for media consumption, note-taking, and light productivity, especially if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem for file sharing and app continuity.
For more power, the Galaxy Tab S11 features a Dimensity 9400+ chipset and an 11-inch OLED display (2,560 x 1,600px, 120Hz). It has a larger 8,400mAh battery with faster 45W charging and full DeX support, including video out to an external monitor. The 12/128GB model is $660, and the 12/256GB is $760. This tablet is a direct competitor to Apple's iPad Air, offering a high-refresh OLED display and desktop-like capabilities with DeX.
The Galaxy Tab S10+ offers even more screen real estate with a 12.4-inch OLED (2,800 x 1,752px, 120Hz) and a 10,090mAh battery. It uses the older Dimensity 9300+ chip but still supports full DeX. The 12/256GB model is $800, and the 12/512GB is $920. This is a media powerhouse, ideal for creative work, multitasking, and as a laptop replacement when paired with a keyboard and DeX.
Apple's iPad Lineup: Modest Discounts Ahead of Potential M5 Updates
Apple's iPad mini (2024) remains the only premium small tablet on the market. With an 8.3-inch display, A17 Pro chip, and Apple Intelligence support (though the company is reportedly moving to Gemini for some AI features), it's a niche but powerful device. The 128GB model is $470, and the 256GB is $550. The 5,078mAh battery and 6.3mm thickness make it incredibly portable.
The iPad Air (2025) series uses the M3 chip and IPS LCD displays (60Hz). It's available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. The 11-inch 256GB model is $650, and the 512GB is $825. The 13-inch 256GB is $850, and the 512GB is $1,015. These discounts are modest but notable for Apple, which rarely discounts its products directly. The iPad Air is a strong choice for students and professionals who need more power than the base iPad but don't require the Pro's OLED display.
The iPad Pro (2025) series features the M5 chipset and tandem OLED displays (120Hz). The 11-inch 256GB model is $900, and the 512GB is $1,100. The 13-inch 256GB is $1,150, and the 512GB is $1,350. These are the most powerful tablets on the market, with the M5 offering desktop-class performance. The tandem OLED technology provides exceptional brightness and contrast, making them ideal for creative professionals and media editors.
Ecosystem Considerations
When choosing between these devices, ecosystem lock-in is a major factor. Samsung's tablets and foldables integrate deeply with Samsung's Android ecosystem, offering features like DeX for a desktop-like experience, Quick Share for seamless file transfer, and continuity with Galaxy Buds and Watches. If you're already invested in Samsung's ecosystem, sticking with a Galaxy tablet or foldable makes sense.
Apple's iPad lineup is part of the Apple ecosystem, offering tight integration with Macs, iPhones, and other Apple devices through features like Sidecar, Universal Control, and Handoff. The iPadOS experience is optimized for touch and supports a vast library of creative and productivity apps. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, an iPad is often the natural choice.
Other Notable Deals
The Nothing Phone (3) is discounted by $180, bringing the 16/512GB model to $720. It features a 6.67-inch LTPS OLED, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, and a 5,150mAh battery with 65W wired and 15W wireless charging. It has four 50MP cameras, including a 1/1.3-inch main sensor and a 3x periscope telephoto. The Nothing ecosystem includes the Nothing Headphone (1) for $300, which offers great audio quality and noise cancellation but is on the heavier side.
For a more affordable audio option, the CMF Headphone Pro is $80 after a $20 discount. It has a customizable design and good sound quality for the price, though it doesn't match the premium Nothing headphones.
Sony's new LinkBuds Clip are open-ear buds with removable Fitting Cushions for comfort. They offer 9 hours of battery life per bud and 37 hours total with the case. These are ideal for users who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to audio.
Finally, for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, Samsung's P9 Express microSD cards offer up to 800MB/s read speeds, perfect for expanding storage. The 256GB card is $40, and the 512GB is $80. These are essential for the Switch 2, which uses the rare microSD Express format for faster game loading.
The Bottom Line
Samsung's current discounts on foldables and tablets offer a compelling reason to buy now, especially if you're not waiting for the S26 series. The Z Flip7 and Z Fold7 are mature devices with proven hardware and software, and the discounts make them more accessible. Samsung's tablets, from the S10 Lite to the S10+, provide options for different budgets and use cases, all with DeX support for productivity.
Apple's iPad discounts are more modest but still noteworthy for a company that rarely discounts its products. The iPad mini remains a unique offering, while the iPad Air and Pro provide powerful options for different needs.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your ecosystem, budget, and use case. If you're in the Samsung ecosystem and want a foldable or tablet, now is a good time to buy. If you're in the Apple ecosystem and need a tablet, the current discounts make the iPad lineup more attractive. For everyone else, the Nothing Phone (3) and Sony's LinkBuds Clip offer compelling alternatives with unique features and competitive pricing.
Comments
Please log in or register to join the discussion