European consumer electronics markets are currently experiencing a period of intense mobile device sales. The main factor driving price drops is the market debut of the Samsung Galaxy S26 line, which has forced distributors to implement radical price cuts on older generations of flagship models, including the S24 and S25. The price reductions have also affected products from Apple and Xiaomi, with retail chains like Cdiscount and MediaMarkt offering discounts of up to several tens of percent on top models.
Pressure from the New Generation
The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 forced record price cuts on S24 and S25 models from all major distributors.
Apple's Discount Offensive
Unusually high discounts on the latest iPhone 16 and 17 series models in response to aggressive actions from competitors.
Premium Mid-Range Segment
Increased value for money from brands like Xiaomi, Poco, and Google, offering flagship processors at budget prices.
The modern mobile technology market is at a turning point triggered by the launch of the latest flagship series from the Korean manufacturer. The introduction of the Galaxy S26 model prompted an immediate reaction from major retail chains, which, aiming to clear their warehouses, decided on drastic price cuts for models from previous years. The drop in value of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S24 series is particularly noticeable; in some stores, they can be purchased for almost half their launch price. This phenomenon is not limited to just one brand; competing companies, such as Apple, are also feeling price pressure, resulting in rare promotions on iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. Beyond the premium smartphone segment, the price revolution has also affected mid-range devices and tablets. Brands such as Poco, Xiaomi, and Lenovo are aggressively competing for customers, offering Snapdragon 8 series components at prices previously reserved for budget solutions. Significant interest has been noted in Spanish and French markets for tablets like the Xiaomi Pad 7 or new Lenovo designs with 3.2K resolution screens. Consumers now have a unique opportunity to purchase technologically advanced devices that offer multi-year manufacturer support for software updates, which is becoming a new standard in the electronics industry. The lifecycle of a modern smartphone is continuously extending thanks to longer system support, but the launch of new flagships has remained the primary mechanism for regulating prices of older devices on both the secondary and primary markets for a decade.Analysis of offers indicates a trend of combining direct discounts with promotional codes, which on some e-commerce platforms leads to situations described by the media as "pricing errors" or "stock liquidations." Experts emphasize that the current moment is optimal for those seeking premium devices without having to pay the so-called "novelty tax." „Prix record pour ce Samsung Galaxy qui chute complètement de prix avec la sortie du S26” (Record price for this Samsung Galaxy which completely plummets in price with the release of the S26) — Le Parisien It is also worth noting the expansion of brands like Motorola or Google, which in segments below 350-400 euros offer devices with photographic parameters close to last year's flagships. This competition forces the biggest players not only into a price war but also to accelerate the release cycles of new accessories, including smartwatches, which have also been subject to significant discounts exceeding 20 percent of their market value.