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The Galaxy S26 price increase we were dreading is here
Confirmed
In Short: Samsung attributes the price increases to rising memory costs driven by AI demand. The 1TB configuration of the Galaxy S26 Ultra now costs $200 more, bringing its starting price to $1,999.99.
Samsung has officially raised the prices of its Galaxy S26 series in the US and South Korea, effective from October 1. The cheapest version of the Galaxy S26, with 256GB of storage, now starts at $999.99, while the Galaxy S26 Plus and Ultra begin at $1,199.99 and $1,399.99, respectively.
The price hikes are consistent across both markets, with the entry-level Galaxy S26 in South Korea increasing from 1,254,000 won (~$919) to 1,403,600 won (~$1,029). The 256GB models of the Galaxy S26 Plus and Ultra in South Korea also saw a price bump of 149,600 won (~$110), bringing them to 1,601,600 won ($1,174) and 1,947,000 won (~$1,427), respectively.
The price hikes follow a trend seen across the tech industry, with Apple and Google also raising prices on their latest products. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max were launched at $100 more than their predecessors, while Google raised prices with the launch of the Pixel 11 series.
In Canada, the price increases are even more pronounced, with the 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra now $250 more expensive. Other models in the lineup have increased by $150, making the already expensive flagship lineup even pricier just months after launch.
Despite the price hikes, Samsung continues to roll out software updates, including One UI 9 for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. The update includes enhancements like Galaxy AI Versatile 'Now Nudge,' which provides useful recommendations across various contexts.
However, some Galaxy Z Fold 8 owners have reported issues with their inner screens, noting that the corners of the folding screen have more give than the rest of the display. This issue comes despite Samsung's introduction of a Flex Titanium structure to increase the stiffness of the folding display.
The Galaxy Watch9, while performing well in everyday use, offers a modest upgrade compared to its predecessor, with a 20% increase in battery capacity only applying to the smaller 40 mm model.
While the price increases are frustrating for consumers, they reflect the current market conditions and the rising costs of smartphone hardware.
Samsung’s latest 200MP image sensor, the ISOCELL HPC, introduces a new pixel architecture called DeepPix, which increases each pixel's full-well capacity by 60%. However, this sensor is not yet confirmed for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, with leaks suggesting the ISOCELL HP6 might be the chosen sensor.
Despite the price hikes, consumers can still find discounts on the Galaxy S26 series, such as a $300 off deal for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, available with no extra work required.
The price increases are part of a broader trend in the tech industry, with Apple also quietly raising prices on older iPhone models and Amazon’s Kindle and Echo devices seeing price increases in recent months.
The Galaxy S26 series price hikes are a significant change for consumers, and while Samsung has not officially announced the price changes, they are now reflected on the company’s website and in various markets.
What's confirmed
- It’s a rough day for those who had been considering a Galaxy S26 series device, but had not yet pulled the trigger.
- Samsung raised prices today on all Galaxy S26 models, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- Going forward, you’ll pay $100 more for the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- Starting prices were previously $899, $1,099, and $1299, but you’ll find them at $999, $1,199, and $1,399 today.
- Google raised prices on products earlier with the launch of the Pixel 11 series, as did Apple with many of their own products.
- This price increase situation won’t end any time soon.
- Because the change appears to have just rolled out, you can still find the regular prices at places like Amazon ( here ).
- All 3 phones are still at their original prices there, but probably not for long.
- When Samsung unveiled the S26 lineup earlier this year, it cited the rising cost of RAM as the reason for the $100 increase over the S25’s launch price.
- Both of Apple’s new smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, were launched last month at $100 more than the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The base Samsung Galaxy S26 with 256GB of storage will now cost you $100 more than it did last week, because we can’t have anything nice anymore.
- Pretty much every S26 configuration will see the $100 price hike, but matters get even worse if you’re looking to get your hands on the S26 Ultra with 1TB of storage.
What's still developing
- Meanwhile, the manufacturer has seemingly increased the price of the 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra by 270,000 won (~$198), nearly matching its US counterpart.
- The full list of One UI 9 changes can be found below for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and we’ve translated it for you.
- Things like Galaxy AI are at the top, but there are also changes to things like the multi-window controls, Quick Panel, Samsung Health, Bixby, and more.
- The ninth-generation Galaxy Watch delivers a strong overall package, but compared with its predecessor, it is a relatively modest upgrade.
- Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch9 performs very well in everyday use, with an extremely bright display, very good performance, and plausible health data.
- If you want $300 off the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, you simply click the box for “No” when it asked for a trade-in.
- In other words, RAM and memory prices have been running rampant, and the trend keeps on going.
- The increases are attributed to soaring memory costs driven by AI demand, though upcoming sales could bring the phones back down in price.
- At this point, higher launch prices are quickly becoming standard.
- The newer Galaxy S26 FE appears to have avoided the increases.