The 6-month-old Galaxy S26 series is now $100 more expensive

Credit: Cory Gunther / How-To Geek Published Oct 1, 2026, 11:37 AM EDT Jon is a seasoned journalist who has written definitive coverage of consumer tech at publications like Engadget, Android Authority, and BetaKit. He's an expert on making tech accessible ranging from mobile and PCs to emerging platforms like wearables. When he's not writing, he's going on adventures with ihis family and is an avid photographer. Sign in to your How-To Geek account The Galaxy S26 line might be half a year old, but its official price is going up. Samsung has raised prices across the core series by at least $100, with steeper increases at the high end. The 6.3-inch base Galaxy S26 now starts at $1,000 with 256GB of storage, up from $900. The 6.7-inch Galaxy S26+ begins at $1,200 (versus $1,100). Opt for the top-end Galaxy S26 Ultra and you'll pay at least $1,400 versus the $1,300 launch price. Samsung Galaxy S26 SoC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Display 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x Notably, the range-topping 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra sees a $200 price hike to $2,000. Other recent Samsung phones already have new costs factored in, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and S26 FE. The budget A-series and Galaxy Tabs are likewise unchanged. Why is the Galaxy S26 more expensive? Blame memory prices Samsung hasn't officially explained the Galaxy S26 price increase. We've asked the company for comment and will update if there's a statement. Like other companies, however, Samsung is facing soaring prices for RAM and flash storage due largely to the AI data center push. While numerous brands have tried to soak up these expenses for a while, many of them have since passed the costs on to customers. The increase helps Samsung offset those steeper manufacturing prices. The move comes just weeks after Apple raised prices across its lineup, including the new iPhone 18 Pro and the year-old iPhone 17. Google's Pixel 11 series is also more expensive than last year. Samsung can hike prices without losing its competitive edge. Like it or not, this trend isn't expected to end any time soon. TrendForce estimates that potential price decreases won't occur until 2028, when supply is poised to catch up with demand. All of your next devices could be more expensive unless you choose older or lower-cost models.