Samsung just dropped two new budget devices to kick off 2026

Just ahead of CES 2026, Samsung has officially announced two new additions to its budget-friendly lineup for the US market: the Galaxy A17 5G smartphone and the Galaxy Tab A11+ tablet. While the flagship “S” series usually gets all the glory, the “A” series is the bread and butter for millions of users. These devices are proof that you don’t need to spend $1,000 to get a great experience anymore.

With these new devices, Samsung is bringing premium features like high-refresh-rate screens, long-term software support, and even Galaxy AI down to a price point that is hard to ignore. Here’s the breakdown of what is coming to shelves next week.

Galaxy A17 5G: The new $200 budget king?

The Galaxy A17 5G is the successor to the popular A16, and on paper, it looks like a fantastic value at just $199.99.

The standout feature here is undoubtedly the display. You are getting a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. Finding a decent AMOLED screen on a sub-$200 phone is rare, and it should make a huge difference for daily use compared to the washed-out LCDs you usually find in this bracket.

Under the hood, it is powered by the Exynos 1330 processor. While it won’t break any speed records, it is efficient enough for daily tasks and even handles some light gaming. It is paired with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging—which Samsung claims can get you to 50% in just 30 minutes.

But the real killer feature? Software support. Samsung is promising six years of security updates and six generations of OS upgrades. That is absolutely wild for a $200 phone. It means this device will stay secure and current well into the 2030s.

Galaxy A17 Quick Specs:

• Display: 6.7” FHD+ Super AMOLED (90Hz)
• Cameras: 50MP Main (OIS), 5MP Ultrawide, 2MP Macro, 13MP Selfie
• Durability: IP54 water/dust resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus
• Price: Starts at $199.99 (Available Jan 7)

Galaxy Tab A11+: The “Do-It-All” family tablet

Launching alongside the phone is the Galaxy Tab A11+, starting at $249.99. This tablet seems squarely aimed at families and students who need a reliable media machine without the iPad price tag.

It features a large 11-inch LCD display that also bumps the refresh rate up to 90Hz. While it isn’t AMOLED, the high refresh rate will make the UI and scrolling feel much smoother than previous budget tablets. It also includes quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, which is a nice touch.

Surprisingly, Samsung is also bringing some productivity features to this entry-level slate. It supports Samsung DeX (Standalone Edition), giving you a desktop-like interface for multitasking, and it even includes Circle to Search, bringing Google’s latest visual search AI to the Tab A series for the first time.

Galaxy Tab A11+ Quick Specs:

• Display: 11-inch LCD (90Hz)
• Audio: Quad Speakers with Dolby Atmos + 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Storage: Up to 8GB RAM / 256GB Storage (expandable via microSD)
• Price: Starts at $249.99 (Available Jan 8)

Why these devices matter

We talk a lot about high-end specs and cutting-edge devices like the upcoming Samsung TriFold, but the reality is that phones like the Galaxy A17 5G are what most people actually buy. Seeing Samsung commit to OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the camera, Gorilla Glass Victus for durability, and 6 years of updates at this price point is a win for consumers.

Both devices will be available nationwide starting next week (Jan 7 for the phone, Jan 8 for the tablet). If you are looking for a solid device that doesn’t break the bank, these should be on your radar.