Samsung Raises Prices on Galaxy S26 Series by $100
Samsung has increased prices across most of its Galaxy S26 range by $100 in the United States and South Korea, citing memory costs. The move comes despite Samsung's semiconductor division enjoying a 94% profit share from company earnings in Q1, while its mobile phone division saw a 38% decline in operating profits.
The price hike affects the S26, S26+ and Ultra models, with the 1TB Ultra seeing a $200 increase. The phones have been available since March, and this is the first price adjustment for the Ultra line since early 2024.
Four Galaxy S26 handsets shown from the back, in four of the colour options Samsung announced with the series in February 2026.
Bloomberg reported that the starting prices are now $1,000, $1,200, and $1,400 for the S26, S26+ and Ultra, respectively, with the 1TB Ultra at a steep $2,000.
The S26 FE, however, remains unchanged at $700, as does Samsung's line of foldables. This places the Z Fold 8 at $1,900, still below Apple's iPhone Duo, which launches on October 23rd at $1,999.
Samsung's memory division has been benefitting significantly from higher DRAM prices, up 44% in three months. This has put pressure on the mobile phone division, leading to the recent price increases.
The company warned internally that 2026 could bring its mobile division’s first annual loss.
While Europe has seen less significant price hikes so far, with the S26 launching at £879 in Britain (around £20 above the S25), there are expectations of further increases. A Greek technology site reported in June that prices could rise by €100 to €200, though this has not been officially confirmed.
The industry-wide trend is for phone manufacturers to raise prices due to memory shortages, with Omdia predicting sustained high prices post-shortage.