Android Authority reports that the Play Store's new "Shop devices" section, on its own phones, listed only Google hardware. A tip from a Telegram user showed the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra in the same section. The report was published Oct. 14. As of Oct. 15, SamMobile's report does not say the section is available in the US.
What Android Authority found
Android Authority says its phones showed Pixel 10a, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 5 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 in the section, and that tapping one opens the Google Store. It says the tip, from a Telegram user, showed the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra listed next to Google devices.
Android Authority also says the listings carried no discounts, only regular prices. It says Google's support page states that the Play Store shows Google and Samsung devices listed on the Google Store, but does not mention a "Shop devices" section.
What SamMobile adds
SamMobile also reports that users reach Shop devices through the account selection pop-up menu, and that the option is visible only in select regions. It says some markets may show only Pixel phones, with India as its example as of writing.
SamMobile cites screenshots, via Android Authority, of the Galaxy S26 with the tagline "Capture every detail with pro-grade precision" and the S26 Ultra with "The most powerful processor on Galaxy."
What is not known
SamMobile says the terms of the arrangement are unclear and neither Google nor Samsung commented, so Google's cut of any Galaxy sale is unknown. As of Oct. 15, SamMobile's report names no US availability or carriers.
Why it matters
Our assessment: the Galaxy listings rest on one tip and one set of screenshots, and Android Authority's own phones did not show them, so US shoppers should not expect to buy a Galaxy phone in the Play Store yet.
