**Rumors of Price Increases for Galaxy S26 as Main Components Become More Expensive**
Recent information suggests that the prices of smartphones, particularly Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy S26 series, are set to rise due to heightened demand for essential components spurred by the AI sector’s reliance on memory and storage chips. This surge in demand has outstripped supply, hinting at possible price increases for the Galaxy S26 models. Although Samsung kept the pricing stable for the Galaxy S25 compared to the Galaxy S24, the new series might witness a rise, though exact prices for the Korean or international markets remain unspecified.
**iPhone Pricing Strategy by Apple**
Apple has consistently maintained a starting price of $799 for its entry-level iPhone models, although it has modified its lineup, affecting average sales prices. The iPhone 17 series upgraded the base model to 256GB of storage without changing the price, upholding the $799 price point. This tactic reflects Apple’s 2023 strategy with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, where the minimum storage was raised to 256GB, leading to increased costs for those who had previously chosen 128GB models.
**What Will the Pricing be for the Galaxy S26?**
Reports indicate that the prices for LPDDR5 RAM used in mobile devices have surged by more than 16% since the beginning of this year, and Samsung is reportedly considering price increases for mobile processors. The Galaxy S26 is anticipated to be equipped with either Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chip or the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, both of which are facing price escalations. The Galaxy S25 series was priced at $799.99, $999.99, and $1,299.99 for the base, Plus, and Ultra models, respectively. It remains unclear if Samsung will follow Apple’s lead in raising the minimum storage capacity, which could have an effect on pricing.
In addition to Samsung, other brands like Apple, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo are also projected to raise prices for their upcoming models, indicating a wider trend in the smartphone market driven by increases in component costs.
