Galaxy S26 Price Hike Looms as Memory Crisis Bites samsung
The smartphone industry is grappling with rising DRAM and NAND flash prices, and the impact is increasingly felt by major players. While Apple and Google have temporarily avoided the worst of it with recent flagship launches,Samsung – currently the market leader – is facing a difficult decision regarding the retail price of its upcoming Galaxy S26 series.
Recent reports suggested Samsung might maintain existing retail prices, particularly in the US, potentially due to limited upgrades in the new series. Though, a price increase was still anticipated for the home market.
Now, a report from inews24.com indicates the Galaxy S26 Ultra could return to a $1,399 price tag – a level not seen since the Galaxy S20 ultra (128GB) launched six years ago. This would represent a $100 increase over the S25 Ultra’s launch price, potentially leading to a $50 hike for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus models as well.
Adding to the potential cost increase, Samsung may discontinue its popular free storage upgrade offer for early adopters. This combination of a higher price and fewer launch incentives could give potential buyers pause, potentially slowing sales.
Even if Samsung manages to keep the S26 Ultra at $1,299, lucrative pre-order deals, like storage upgrades or free accessories, might potentially be unavailable.
The ongoing memory crisis is considerably impacting Samsung, exceeding initial expectations. Consumers should approach announced retail prices and pre-reservation offers for the galaxy S26 series with caution.