Samsung raises Galaxy S26, S26+ and Ultra prices by $100 amid memory crunch

As per the latest business developments, Samsung Electronics Co. boosted prices across most of its Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup, the latest example of consumer-tech brands passing costs on to consumers amid a persistent memory shortage.

The Galaxy S26, S26+ and 26 Ultra have all jumped in price by $100, now starting at $1,000, $1,200 and $1,400 respectively. The highest storage tier for the Ultra, a 1-terabyte model, has increased by $200 and now costs $2,000.

Over the last year, prices for consumer electronics such as laptops, gaming consoles and smartphones have risen as manufacturers grapple with an unprecedented shortage of memory chips fuelled by the artificial intelligence boom and the buildout of data centers that require this component.

Samsung implemented the changes across its S26 portfolio just weeks after Apple introduced a pricier iPhone 18 Pro line and increased the cost of older models such as the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. The Pixel 11 series from Alphabet Inc.’s Google additionally jumped in price compared with the previous generation.

Samsung hasn’t changed the pricing of its most affordable Galaxy S26 device, the S26 FE, which was introduced in August for $700. When it debuted, that phone was priced $50 elevated than its predecessor.

The firm’s latest foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8, have additionally been spared from the latest price hikes. For the time being, then, the $1,900 Z Fold 8 will stay less expensive than Apple Inc.’s forthcoming iPhone Duo, which will be available starting Oct. 23. for $1,999.

Compared with the Galaxy S25 series, the Galaxy S26 and S26+ were already both $100 more expensive when they went on sale in March. But the top-of-the-line S26 Ultra handset was an exception: Samsung initially maintained the $1,300 starting price of recent models, making the current week’s gain the first for that product line since early 2024.