$1,400 Galaxy S26 Ultra?! Every Samsung Galaxy S26 Phone Just Got a Price Hike

Introduction

Samsung has officially increased prices for nearly every single Galaxy S26 model, leaving only one device unscathed. Most notably, a variant of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is now a staggering $200 more expensive, continuing a frustrating trend of rising costs in the mobile device market.

The Second Price Hike for the Flagship Series

This latest adjustment marks the second price increase for the standard Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus models. Both devices already saw a $100 price bump at launch compared to their S25 predecessors. Initially, the high-end Galaxy S26 Ultra models managed to hold steady at a $1,299 starting cost, but that baseline defense has now collapsed.

Interestingly, the newly announced Galaxy S26 FE is the only device to maintain its original launch pricing—though it is still $50 more expensive than the S25 FE.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Price Breakdown

Here is a look at the starting prices for the base 256GB versions of each model following the price adjustments:

• Galaxy S26: $999 (up from $899)
• Galaxy S26 Plus: $1,199 (up from $1,099)
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: $1,399 (up from $1,299)
• Galaxy S26 FE: $699 (No change)

For higher storage tiers, the cost scaling is even steeper. The 512GB versions of the S26 and S26 Plus now retail for $1,199 and $1,399, respectively. Meanwhile, the Ultra models have escalated to $1,599 for the 512GB configuration and a massive $1,999 for the 1TB option—representing a sharp $200 increase.

Why Are Prices Rising?

When Samsung implemented its initial price increases, executives pointed to hardware innovations and advanced internal components to justify the changes. However, industry insiders also highlighted the ongoing RAM shortage—often dubbed "RAMageddon"—driven by surging artificial intelligence demands. With memory component costs expected to remain high, market analysts warn that pricing pressures may persist well into the future, potentially affecting upcoming releases like the Galaxy S27 series.

What Consumers Can Do

If you are currently in the market for a new smartphone but want to avoid paying inflated retail prices, experts recommend keeping an eye out for seasonal sales and major retail discounts. Alternatively, consumers can explore more budget-friendly options within Samsung's ecosystem, such as the Galaxy A57 series. Major sales events like upcoming holiday promotions and shopping holidays remain the best bet for securing flagship devices without breaking the bank.