Rising Prices for Galaxy S26: Consumers Brace for Disappointment
The impending launch of Samsung's Galaxy S26 series has sparked concerns among consumers as reports indicate a significant price increase compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S25. With mounting costs in key components, especially memory chips, Samsung faces a dilemma: raise prices and risk reduced competitiveness or absorb costs and impact profitability. As the launch date approaches, clarity on pricing remains elusive, but one thing is certain—some consumers may be disappointed.
According to various reports, the Galaxy S26 series is expected to be pricier than the Galaxy S25, particularly in South Korea.
Struggles with Pricing Stability
The Financial News claims that Samsung's base model price could increase by up to 88,000 won (~$61). The final pricing for the Galaxy S26 lineup has not yet been confirmed, but Korea Times suggests a price hike is likely. The cost of DRAM and NAND flash memory has nearly doubled from last year, complicating Samsung's pricing strategy. TM Roh, Samsung's CEO, is slated to discuss LPDDR5X supply for the Galaxy S26 with Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra at the CES trade show, which could influence upcoming pricing decisions due to rising component costs.Recommended Articles
In another development, Reuters reports that TM Roh has not ruled out the possibility of increasing prices for Samsung's products, citing unavoidable impacts from soaring memory chip prices.
"As this situation is unprecedented, no company is immune to its impact."
- TM Roh, Samsung's Co-CEO, January 2026
Amidst Growing Uncertainty
With reports presenting conflicting information about the Galaxy S26's pricing, it's clear that Samsung is caught in a challenging position. The company must weigh the importance of maintaining its competitive edge against the backdrop of rising production costs. As a result, a final pricing decision may be postponed until the official announcement later this month.
