Following iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S26 Series prices likely to rise

Samsung is reportedly considering raising the prices of its Galaxy S26 smartphone line due to soaring memory component costs.

According to a report from Gizmochina on Tuesday (15/9) local time, if the plan is realised, Samsung may increase the price of each Galaxy S26 model by approximately 149,600 won, or the equivalent of Rp1.9 million, starting 1 October. This increase would affect the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra sold in South Korea. Samsung has confirmed that an internal price review is underway due to rising component costs, but emphasised that no final decision has been made.

Prior to Samsung, Apple raised the prices of several iPhone models following the launch of the iPhone 18 series on 9 September 2026.

The rising cost of memory components is one of the primary factors putting pressure on smartphone manufacturers. Smartphone memory prices reportedly surged by more than 80 per cent in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, and have increased threefold compared to the same period last year.

Memory has now become the most expensive component for smartphones, surpassing the cost of processors. Samsung’s mobile division reportedly recorded an operating loss of approximately 700 billion won (Rp9 trillion) in the second quarter, while memory costs for phones in the first half of 2026 increased by about 211 per cent compared to the previous year.

Manufacturers typically raise product prices when launching new generations of phones to offset rising production costs. However, this surge in memory prices has led several manufacturers to consider price adjustments even for older models already on the market.

Samsung has not yet confirmed whether these price increases will be implemented, nor whether they will be applied outside of South Korea. The company is still weighing whether to absorb the rising component costs or pass them on to consumers through price adjustments.