Samsung may pull an Apple and make the Galaxy S26 series pricier

When Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, higher prices than last year’s models felt inevitable. But few expected Apple to use the launch to raise prices on its older iPhones. Now, Android’s biggest name may be reading from the same playbook, as a Korean outlet claims Samsung is considering an unusual post-launch price hike for the Galaxy S26 series.

According to Hans Economy, a South Korean carrier has informed retailers that wholesale prices for every Galaxy S26 model will rise by 149,600 won (about $110) on October 1. That would be unusual because Samsung launched the phones in March, putting the alleged price hike nearly seven months into their life cycle.

The change would push the 256GB Galaxy S26 from 1,254,000 won (~$932) to 1,403,600 won (~$1,043). The equivalent Galaxy S26 Plus would climb from 1,452,000 won (~$1,079)  to 1,601,600 won (~$1,190), while the 256GB Galaxy S26 Ultra would jump from 1,797,400 won (~$1,336) to 1,947,000 won (~$1,448).

A separate rumor suggests Samsung’s new foldables may face the same fate. Tipster Abhishek Yadav claimed an S26 Ultra hike was coming, along with increases for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, before Hans Economy‘s report. This new report lends credence to his earlier claim, but still, nobody else has corroborated the foldable claim.

Rising component costs appear to be the reason for the price increase. The tech industry has grappled with tight RAM and storage supplies as AI data centers consume more advanced memory and manufacturers prioritize more profitable components. Samsung has also acknowledged severe cost pressures from rising semiconductor and logistics prices, while the Galaxy S26 series’ original price increases followed soaring memory, storage, and other component costs.

However, Samsung told Hans Economy that it hadn’t issued an official price-increase notice. But the company confirmed that it is reviewing pricing amid rising component costs, and stressed that nothing has been finalized.

There is also no indication that the reported increase would reach the US. American buyers currently pay $899 for the Galaxy S26, $1,099 for the S26 Plus, and $1,299 for the S26 Ultra. Still, the Korean report suggests Samsung may be less willing to absorb the industry’s mounting costs — something US buyers should watch as the current phones age and Samsung prepares its next generation.

So if you’re considering a Galaxy S26 or S26 Ultra, you may want to watch October 1 closely.