Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Samsung Raises Galaxy S26 Prices Amid Memory Chip Shortage
Samsung has reportedly made several Galaxy S26 phones more expensive in some countries.
The regular S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra each cost about $100 more at certain storage levels.
The biggest increase is for the 1TB Ultra, which costs $200 more.
Samsung’s cheaper S26 FE phone did not get a reported increase.
Samsung’s foldable phones also kept their prices.
The company is facing higher costs because memory chips are in short supply.
The shortage is connected to the rapid growth of artificial-intelligence data centers.
It is not yet clear whether the same price changes will happen in India.
Samsung reportedly increased overseas prices for the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra by $100.
The Galaxy S26 now starts at $999, while the S26+ starts at $1,199 and the S26 Ultra at $1,399.
The 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra rose by $200, from $1,799 to $1,999.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE and foldable phones were not included in the reported price increases.
The increases are linked to a memory-chip shortage driven by artificial-intelligence data-center expansion, while Indian pricing remains unclear.
- Who
- Samsung and buyers of its Galaxy S26-series smartphones.
- What
- Samsung reportedly raised overseas prices for most Galaxy S26 models by up to $200.
- When
- Recently, after the Galaxy S26 series went on sale; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- Overseas markets; the effect on Indian prices remains unclear.
- Why
- The reported increases are linked to higher memory-chip costs caused by artificial-intelligence expansion and data-center construction.
- Galaxy S26 starting price
- $999, up from $899 for the 256GB model
- Galaxy S26+ starting price
- $1,199, up from $1,099 for the 256GB model
- Galaxy S26 Ultra starting price
- $1,399, up from $1,299 for the 256GB model
- Highest reported increase
- The 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra rose by $200 to $1,999
- Models excluded
- The Galaxy S26 FE and Samsung foldables were not included in the reported increases
- Reported cause
- A memory-chip shortage associated with artificial-intelligence data-center expansion
- India pricing
- It remains unclear how the changes will affect Indian prices