Samsung Electronics quietly implemented a price increase for its Galaxy S26 series smartphones on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra models now cost an additional $100 across most configurations in the United States and South Korea. The 1TB variant of the Galaxy S26 Ultra experienced a more substantial increase of $200, bringing its price to $2,000. This marks the second price adjustment for some S26 models, as the S26 and S26 Plus already launched at a $100 premium over their S25 predecessors.
The price changes mean the base Galaxy S26 with 256GB of storage now starts at $999.99, while the S26 Plus begins at $1,199.99. The Galaxy S26 Ultra's starting price is now $1,399.99 for the 256GB model. The Galaxy S26 FE, released in August, and Samsung's new foldable phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, were not affected by this latest price hike.
Samsung has not issued a formal press release specifically detailing these price increases. However, industry analysts and previous statements from the company indicate the adjustments are a direct consequence of the global memory chip shortage. The surge in demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) from the artificial intelligence sector has significantly driven up the cost of RAM and storage components. During its second-quarter earnings call in July, Samsung projected that the memory shortage would intensify in 2027 and persist through 2028.
DRAM, a common type of RAM, has seen its price double in the six months since the Galaxy S26 series launched in March. Samsung's semiconductor division, which manufactures these memory components, reported a substantial increase in profit in the first quarter, while its mobile division experienced a decline in operating profit. This disparity highlights the internal economic pressures facing the company, as its own component manufacturing arm benefits from the same market conditions that increase costs for its smartphone business.
Other technology companies have also adjusted their pricing due to similar supply chain pressures. Apple raised prices on its iPhone 18 Pro line and older iPhone models weeks ago, and Google's Pixel 11 series also saw price increases. While some third-party retailers, such as Amazon, may still list Galaxy S26 models at older prices temporarily, Samsung's official online store reflects the new pricing. Consumers may find some relief through carrier installment plans or trade-in programs, but these measures do not address the underlying issue of rising component costs.