Google Play Store expands to sell Samsung Galaxy phones
In a surprising development the Google Play Store has added a new section that lets users purchase Samsung Galaxy devices alongside Google hardware. The Play Store is best known as the hub for Android apps and games, but it also hosts a hidden shop where you can buy phones, watches and accessories directly from Google. Analysts speculate that future updates could even list Apple Watch Series 10 or iPad Air M2, although those are currently exclusive to their own stores.
How to find the device shop
To access the store open the Play Store app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner and scroll down to the option labelled Shop devices. From there you can browse Google’s own lineup such as Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air, and now you will also see Samsung Galaxy S26 displayed at the top of the list.
What the community is seeing
Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee – known as MKBHD – posted a screenshot showing Samsung Galaxy S26 with the tagline Capture every detail with pro‑grade precision. He noted that the listing uses the plural form phones, suggesting that additional Samsung models may appear in the future.
Regional availability
At the time of writing the Samsung devices are only visible in certain markets. Users in the United Kingdom, India and South Africa report that the Galaxy phones are missing, and the official Google web store for the US and UK does not list any Samsung hardware. This uneven rollout hints at a limited pilot or a region‑specific partnership.
Why Google might be doing this
Google does not traditionally sell competitor phones through its own channels, so the appearance of Samsung Galaxy S26 above Pixel phones is unlikely to be an error. It probably reflects a commercial agreement that allows Google to earn a commission on Samsung sales while giving Android users a convenient one‑stop shop.
What could come next
If the experiment proves successful we may see newer models such as Samsung Galaxy S27 or even the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold series appear in the Play Store. Google could also expand the web‑based store to include a broader range of third‑party devices, similar to how the Google Fi app already offers a selection of phones for purchase.
The move adds another layer to the evolving relationship between Google and Samsung, two companies that already collaborate on hardware, software and network services. For consumers it means a potential new way to buy a Samsung Galaxy S26, Pixel 11 or other flagship devices without leaving the Android ecosystem.