Overview
Samsung’s next big flagships, the Galaxy S26 series, are just days away from their big reveal at the Galaxy Unpacked event. But there’s a cloud hanging over the excitement: reports from South Korea point to a likely price increase. It’s all down to skyrocketing costs for advanced memory chips, putting Samsung in a tough spot as they gear up to compete in the premium smartphone arena.
Why the Price Jump is Happening
A fresh report from IT Chosun spells out the headache. Samsung’s wrestling with ballooning expenses on cutting-edge chip production. The base Galaxy S26 is tipped to rock the Exynos 2600 processor in many regions, built on a fancy 2nm GAA (Gate All Around) process. That’s a step up from older tech, but it comes with steeper wafer costs and trickier yields—basically, more money to make each chip.
Last year, Samsung eyed a similar hike for the S25 lineup, but TM Roh—the big boss of their Mobile eXperience and Device eXperience divisions—stepped in at the eleventh hour to keep prices steady. This time, though? It might not be so easy. The company can’t just eat the extra costs forever, even if leadership worries it’ll hurt sales against rivals.
Competition Heating Up Against Apple
TM Roh’s especially nervous about Apple. Rumors swirl that the iPhone 18, due in September, will hold steady on pricing from the current iPhone 17. If Samsung bumps up S26 tags, it’ll widen the gap in the ultra-premium space—bad news when you’re already chasing the iPhone crown. Keeping prices competitive has been key to Samsung’s strategy, but chip inflation might force their hand.
What to Expect at Unpacked
Mark your calendars for February 25 at 10 am PT (11:30 pm IST)—that’s when Galaxy Unpacked kicks off in San Francisco. Expect the trio: Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. Leaks have been trickling out, teasing beastly specs, but pricing remains the wildcard. Will Samsung swallow the costs or pass them on? It could shake up how they stack against not just Apple, but OnePlus, Google Pixel, and others too.
In the end, this isn’t just about numbers—it’s a balancing act. Gamers, photographers, and power users eyeing the S26 want top-tier performance without the sticker shock. If prices do climb, it’ll be interesting to see if the upgrades justify it. Stay tuned; with under two weeks left, more intel should drop soon.
