Reports suggest Samsung will raise Galaxy S26 prices as chip, camera and memory costs climb, with a possible Feb 25, 2026 launch later than the S25 rollout.
© A. Krivonosov
Samsung appears to be preparing to raise prices for its Galaxy S26 lineup. A Korean outlet reports that higher costs for key components—mobile chipsets, camera modules, and memory—could push the new flagships’ price tags upward.
According to a Samsung report published earlier this year, prices for mobile processors rose by about 12% year over year, camera modules increased by 8%, and LPDDR5 memory costs climbed by more than 16%. Taken together, those jumps are likely to be felt in the bill of materials for the next generation of devices; pricier silicon, sensors, and memory seldom translate into cheaper phones.
For comparison, the Galaxy S25 series held the line on U.S. pricing—$800 for the base model, $1,000 for the S25 Plus, and $1,300 for the S25 Ultra—despite similar pressure on component costs. That restraint may no longer hold, which would mark a clear shift in strategy.
Industry analysts do not rule out that Samsung could try to absorb some of the increases by leaning on proven parts and streamlining supply chains. Even so, if projections bear out, the Galaxy S26 could end up pricier than its predecessors—a reminder that efficiency only goes so far when inputs keep getting more expensive.
There are also reports of a possible launch delay: the Galaxy S26 is expected to debut on February 25, 2026, roughly a month later than the previous generation’s rollout.