Samsung Hikes Galaxy S26 Prices by $100 Amid Global Memory Shortage

Key points

• Samsung increased the base price of the Galaxy S26 to $999, the S26 Plus to $1,199, and the S26 Ultra to $1,399.
• The Galaxy S26 Ultra with 1TB of storage now costs $1,999, representing a $200 increase over its previous price.
• The Galaxy S26 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Flip 8 were not subject to the price hike.
• Samsung cited rising RAM costs as the reason for the initial launch price increase over the S25 series, with this new hike compounding the total cost difference to $200 over last year's models.
• GlobalData analyst Amanda Mitchell noted that meaningful new memory production capacity is years away, suggesting price pressure will continue.

Background

In September 2026, rumors circulated regarding a potential $110 price increase for the Galaxy S26 lineup, with October 1 identified as the likely date. Earlier in the year, Samsung had already raised launch prices by $100 compared to the S25 series, citing rising RAM costs. The Galaxy S26 FE was unveiled in late August 2026 and has remained at its launch price of $699, serving as the only affordable option in the current lineup.

How outlets are covering it

Gizmodo emphasizes the cumulative impact of the hikes, noting that the S26 is now $200 more expensive than the S25 at launch. PhoneArena highlights the broader market context, referring to the situation as 'RAMageddon' and noting that Apple and Google have also raised prices on their latest devices. CNET focuses on the lack of official communication from Samsung, describing the price change as 'quiet' and noting that a Samsung representative did not immediately respond to comment requests. Sammobile provides forward-looking context, citing a tipster who predicts similar or higher price increases for the upcoming Galaxy S27 series due to continued memory supply issues.

Why it matters

The price hikes signal a sustained trend of rising costs for consumer electronics driven by AI infrastructure demand. As new memory production capacity is years away, consumers may face continued price increases for smartphones and other devices through 2028, impacting purchasing decisions and potentially delaying upgrades to newer models.

What to watch

Consumers should monitor Amazon's October 6 Prime Day sale for potential discounts on the Galaxy S26 lineup. Samsung is expected to address the memory shortage in its Q2 earnings call, with analysts predicting the shortage will worsen next year. The Galaxy S27 series is expected to launch with higher prices, potentially exceeding $1,400 for the Ultra model.