What you need to know
- Samsung reportedly still hasn’t locked in Galaxy S26 pricing, even with launch just months away.
- Rising component prices are said to be the core problem, especially for camera modules, OLED panels, and memory.
- To cut costs, Samsung is leaning on Exynos chips for some Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus models, while pricier Snapdragon chips remain for key markets like the U.S.
With only two months to go before the expected February 2026 launch, you might think Samsung has everything about the Galaxy S26 series sorted out. But reports from Korea say the company still hasn’t decided on the price.
A report from The Bell says Samsung is having trouble setting prices for its new flagship phones — the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra — because the numbers aren’t working out (via SamMobile).
The main issue is that making these phones has become much more expensive. Several key parts are getting pricier at the same time, including camera modules, OLED screens, and especially mobile DRAM (memory).
Hardware costs are soaring
IDC reports that growing demand for AI data centers has made memory chips harder to get, which is raising prices for everyone. With higher costs, smaller profit margins, and global economic challenges, Samsung has to reconsider its pricing to avoid losing customers.
Samsung President Roh Tae-Moon is said to be asking suppliers to lower their prices, but there’s only so much they can do. The company is already selling the Galaxy Z TriFold at a loss to show off its technology and gain market share. However, the Galaxy S series is Samsung’s main source of profit, so it can’t afford to lose money on millions of these phones just to keep prices low.
To deal with these costs, Samsung is using different processors in different models. The standard Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus will likely use Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chip in some regions. This helps the company avoid paying extra for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips.
However, the Ultra model and, probably, the standard models in important markets like the U.S. will still use Qualcomm chips, and they don’t come cheap. Since Samsung can’t stop using these pricier chips, it faces a tough decision: either accept lower profits or raise prices and risk selling fewer phones.
The official reveal is expected in February 2026. Until then, if you’re waiting for the S26, it’s a good idea to start saving some extra money now. You might need it.
