Samsung Galaxy S26 prices Expected to Rise Amidst Surging Component Costs
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Samsung is preparing to increase prices on its upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone line, mirroring a trend already seen with Apple’s iPhone 17, due to escalating production expenses. The anticipated price hikes stem from significant increases in the cost of key components, potentially making the next generation of Samsung’s flagship device less affordable for consumers.
The price adjustments are being driven by a confluence of factors impacting the supply chain.Chipsets are approximately 12% more expensive than last year, camera modules have risen by 8%, and DRAM memory costs have jumped 16% in recent months. This situation is further elaborate by a shift in DRAM production,with manufacturers prioritizing high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector-a move that could further constrain supply and inflate prices for smartphone-grade DRAM.
Samsung aims to mitigate the impact of these rising costs by increasing its reliance on its in-house Exynos 2600 processor, reducing dependence on the more expensive Snapdragon SoCs from Qualcomm. Though, industry analysts suggest this may not fully offset the overall increase in production expenses.
Current estimates point to a price increase of $50 to $100 in the United States, depending on the specific model and configuration. This increase, layered on top of already premium pricing, could present a challenge for Samsung as it seeks to maintain market share in a competitive smartphone landscape, even with anticipated improvements to the display, camera technology, and build materials.
