News
Smart opens pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy S26 series
Get the devices for as low as PhP 2,433 a month
Smart has officially opened pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
The newly-launched lineup includes the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra.
These new flagship devices are being offered across Smart Postpaid, Smart Infinity, and Smart Prepaid bundles with various storage and installment options.
As part of Smart’s pre-order offer, customers can get double the storage when they avail of an S26 series device with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 999 as soon as possible.
This plan includes 12 months of unlimited 5G, 20GB of data per month, and unlimited all-net calls and texts, aside from Smart Postpaid perks.
In addition, the first 26 customers to pre-order via the Smart Online Store will get a free Samsung Galaxy Tab A9.
Moreover, those who pay via straight payment or 0% credit card installment will get double data for postpaid plans.
Here are the pricing details for each model:
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 52,500 or PhP 2,433/mo (24 months)
- Galaxy S26+ (512GB): PhP 64,900 or PhP 3,008/mo
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 73,200 or PhP 3,388/mo
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (1TB): PhP 94,800 or PhP 4,392/mo
For premium users, the Smart Infinity Plans (3500, 5000, 8000, and 9500) provide unlimited data and exclusive perks such as:
- a dedicated Relationship Manager
- 24/7 hotline support
- worldwide concierge services
Particularly, the new SIM-Only Plan 9500 also allows for one primary and two supplementary line under a single account.
For more on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, read here: Samsung Galaxy S26 series: Chasing usability, not specs
Over the weekend, a report emerged about Disney+ allegedly considering a new tier offered to users for absolutely free. Apparently, Disney isn’t the only one. Netflix is now resurrecting its free trial program in select countries.
Back in the day, it was easy to get into Netflix. With a 30-day free trial, you can watch the shows you’ve always wanted to catch. If you liked what you saw, you can pay the monthly fee to access the entire library without constraints. Eventually, the platform got rid of this system to favor a cheaper ad-supported tier.
Perhaps not seeing the benefits of ad-supported tiers, Netflix has suddenly resurrected its free trial program. Spotted online (via Android Authority), some countries, including Brazil and India, are experimenting with the program again. New users can get 30 days of free Netflix access.
Because only regular users are spotting this (rather than an official announcement), we don’t have a list of where the free trials are available.
Still, it’s an interesting move. Cable isn’t a thing anymore so “cutting the cable” isn’t a popular phrase anymore, but people are definitely cancelling subscriptions over rising prices. Some even rely on short clips from YouTube to catch up with their shows. Having a free trial opens up more possibilities for users, but it remains to be seen whether it’s enough for users to return to Netflix.
SEE ALSO: Netflix expands its cheaper ad-supported tier to Southeast Asia
In a world disappointingly obsessed with increasing prices beyond our means, Disney+ has miraculously remembered the phrase, “free sample.” According to a report, the streaming platform is considering making a free subscription tier.
As of late, it’s been difficult to maintain a healthy collection of streaming services. When you have to pay the equivalent of a full-course meal every month for just a single platform, you start to evaluate which ones really matter.
Perhaps feeling the sting of users leaving the platform over pricing, Disney+ is reportedly experimenting with a tier that comes at no cost to users (via Business Insider). According to two sources, adding such a tier might help the platform reach customers more.
Now, it’s still a mystery how this tier might work. Disney+ already offers an ad-supported tier, so it’s unlikely to be another one like that.
One possibility is a heavily curated feed of content either designed specifically for free users or limited exactly to give users a free sample. For the latter, think of the limited content you get on a plane. Sure, you might get the first three episodes of The Mandalorian, but you’ll have to fork over cash if you want to see the rest of the story.
And for the former, you can imagine short-form content available for free. Going back to Star Wars, you might see a short anthology series like Star Wars: Visions.
Either way, it’s an interesting concept. If the tier does offer full content, it’s a great way to get into franchises you were thinking of trying without the need to spend for a taste.
Gaming
Microsoft dictates that a new Fallout game is coming
Microsoft cancelled an Avowed sequel to focus on Fallout.
Bethesda used to be a bastion for RPG experiences. Today, however, the company prefers living off its older properties such as Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76. For a while now, the question has been: When will Bethesda release a new game in either of their two biggest franchises? Well, according to a report, a new Fallout game might be coming soon.
As of late, Microsoft has been restructuring its studios. In fact, the company might shut down the studio behind the Dishonored series and the upcoming game based on Marvel’s Blade. Now, as part of that reshuffling (via Bloomberg), Obsidian Entertainment has been told to cancel a sequel to Avowed and focus on a new Fallout game.
It’s a huge change. Microsoft has notably stayed away from its more popular franchises for a while now. The latest Fallout game is still Fallout 76. The latest Elder Scrolls game has been in development for a long, long time now. Only DOOM, via last year’s The Dark Ages, got a new title recently.
To be clear, it’s unknown whether we’re getting the true Fallout 5 or another iteration of the online 76. If it’s really the fifth mainline entry in the franchise, it’s coming at a very opportune time. The franchise is currently on a high, riding the popularity of the TV series of the same name. Fans will surely enjoy a follow-up.
To fuel things further, Josh Sawyer, the director behind the universally lauded New Vegas, is reportedly spearheading the production of the new game.
SEE ALSO: Fallout on Prime Video: What inspired producers to create series
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