Samsung is reportedly gearing up to increase the prices of its upcoming Galaxy S26 series, as leaked images of the devices surface online. According to Korean website Fnnews, Samsung is planning to raise the prices of its flagship smartphones for the first time in three years, especially in certain regions like South Korea. The base storage models of the Galaxy S26 series could see price hikes ranging from 44,000 won to 88,000 won.
The main reason cited for these price increases is the soaring prices of RAM, driven by the AI industry’s growth. The cost of a 12GB LPDDR5X RAM module has more than doubled in the past year and is expected to increase by an additional 40% in the latter half of 2026. Additionally, the unfavorable exchange rate between the Korean Won and the US Dollar is making it challenging for Samsung to procure components like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.
As we await the official unveiling of the Galaxy S26 series in February, leaked images and videos provide a sneak peek at the upcoming devices. Renowned tipster OnLeaks has shared hands-on videos and images of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in two colors, giving us a glimpse of what to expect. Collaborating with Android Headlines, they have also released authentic hands-on images of the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra together.
One notable observation from these leaks is the convergence in design between the regular and Ultra models. The Galaxy S26 Ultra closely resembles the Galaxy S26+, with the main differences being the inclusion of an S-Pen compartment and larger camera modules. This raises the question of whether consumers are willing to pay a premium for devices that appear increasingly similar.
In conclusion, as Samsung prepares to launch its Galaxy S26 series with anticipated price increases, consumers will need to weigh the added costs against the features and improvements offered by the new devices. Stay tuned for the official announcement in February to get a comprehensive look at Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones.
