Today is February 23, 2026. Samsung will officially unveil its highly anticipated Galaxy S26 series globally in just two days on February 25. Therefore, smartphone enthusiasts in Pakistan are eagerly waiting for the local launch. However, a major concern looms over the market. Buyers are worried about the skyrocketing costs. High import duties and new government policies will heavily impact the final retail tags. Here is everything you need to know about the pricing dynamics and launch timeline of the Samsung Galaxy S26 in Pakistan.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: Expected Launch Date in Pakistan
Samsung historically prioritizes the Pakistani market for its flagship releases. Consequently, the local launch timeline will track closely with the global debut. The global “Galaxy Unpacked” event happens on February 25. Following this, the Galaxy S26 series will officially arrive in Pakistan between February 29 and the first week of March 2026.
Moreover, authorized dealers will open pre-orders almost immediately. Meanwhile, physical retail availability across major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad will commence by mid-March 2026. Early adopters should prepare to act fast to secure their devices.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: Expected Pricing Before PTA Tax
Samsung has eliminated the 128GB storage tier this year. Thus, all base models now start at 256GB. This hardware upgrade naturally pushes the entry price higher. Furthermore, the Pakistani Rupee’s exchange rate significantly influences the base cost.
Currently, the official pre-tax retail prices remain unconfirmed. Still, reliable market estimates provide a clear picture. Here is a clear breakdown of the expected prices for the Samsung Galaxy S26 in Pakistan:
| Model | Expected Price |
| Galaxy S26 | Rs. 280,000 to Rs. 310,000 |
| Galaxy S26 Plus | Rs. 314,999 to Rs. 345,000 |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | Rs. 424,000 |
Note: The prices are based on the current buzz, rumours, and expectations of experts. Please take this information with a grain of salt.
The Massive PTA Tax & Impending 20% FED
Unfortunately, the pre-tax price is just the beginning. Buyers must navigate a brutal taxation framework to use these devices on local cellular networks. First, the standard Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) tax applies. For a premium device like the Galaxy S26, the CNIC-based PTA tax alone will range from Rs. 95,000 to Rs. 120,000. For the ultra-premium Galaxy S26 Ultra, the CNIC tax scales much higher, while passport-based registration offers a slight discount.
| Model | Est. Passport Tax (PKR) | Est. CNIC Tax (PKR) |
| Galaxy S26 | Rs. 71,590 | Rs. 95,000 – Rs. 120,000 |
| Galaxy S26 Plus | Rs. 89,510 | Rs. 145,454 |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | Rs. 116,390 | Rs. 189,134 |
Note: Taxes fluctuate slightly based on the prevailing USD exchange rate.
Furthermore, a massive fiscal shock awaits buyers next month. The federal government plans to impose a strict 20% Federal Excise Duty (FED) on imported, fully built mobile phones starting in March 2026. Because early launch units arrive fully imported, this new 20% FED will apply directly to the S26 series stock.
Consequently, retailers will pass this massive upfront port tax to consumers. When you combine the base retail price, the impending 20% FED, and the CNIC PTA tax, the total cost becomes overwhelming. In fact, acquiring a fully registered Galaxy S26 Ultra could soon cost Pakistani consumers roughly Rs. 700,000. Therefore, tech enthusiasts must carefully evaluate their budgets before making a purchase decision this season.
Here is a complete breakdown of all the expected prices before and after adding the aforementioned taxes and duties:
| Model | Base Expected Price (PKR) | Proposed 20% FED (PKR) | Adjusted Shelf Price (PKR) | Estimated PTA Tax CNIC (PKR) | Total Cost After Tax (PKR) |
| Galaxy S26 | Rs. 280,000 | Rs. 56,000 | Rs. 336,000 | Rs. 116,334 | Rs. 452,334 |
| Galaxy S26 Plus | Rs. 320,000 | Rs. 64,000 | Rs. 384,000 | Rs. 145,454 | Rs. 529,454 |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | Rs. 424,000 | Rs. 84,800 | Rs. 508,800 | Rs. 189,134 | Rs. 697,934 |
Note: All these prices are rough estimates. Real prices can differ from these.
