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Samsung Hikes Galaxy S26 Prices by $100 Amid Chip Shortage; Some Models Unaffected
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Firstpost•01-10-2026, 22:00
Samsung Hikes Galaxy S26 Prices by $100 Amid Chip Shortage; Some Models Unaffected
- •Samsung has increased prices for most of its Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup overseas by $100 due to an AI data centre expansion-led chip shortage.
- •The Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra now start at $1,000, $1,200, and $1,400, respectively, with the 1TB Ultra model seeing a $200 increase to around $2,000.
- •The Galaxy S26 FE, Galaxy Z Fold, and other Samsung foldables are exempt from these price increases.
- •The price hikes reflect a broader trend in consumer electronics, with manufacturers passing on costs due to a persistent memory chip shortage driven by the AI boom.
- •This follows similar price adjustments from Apple for its iPhone 18 Pro lineup and older models, and Alphabet Inc.'s Google for its Pixel 11 series.
Key Questions Answered
Samsung raised prices across most of its Galaxy S26 lineup due to a persistent memory chip shortage driven by the rapid expansion of AI data centers. This component shortage has forced manufacturers to pass on rising production costs to consumers.
The recently launched FE model, which serves as an affordable entry point into the premium S lineup, was excluded from the price hikes. Additionally, Samsung's foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold have not seen higher prices.
Reports indicate that the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra models have all increased in price by $100 globally, now starting at $1,000, $1,200, and $1,400 respectively. Meanwhile, the highest storage tier for the Ultra model (1TB) saw a $200 price jump to roughly $2,000.
