A price increase for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series is on the agenda. The global rise in memory chip costs is forcing the company to update prices for its new models.

This change, expected to take effect from October 1, 2026, is planned to cover all three models in the series. According to information reported by Hans Economy, Samsung has notified operators in South Korea about this.

Memory Costs and the RAMageddon Process

The sharp rise in the prices of RAM and other memory components today is affecting the entire consumer electronics sector. In this process, called RAMageddon in the sector, it seems inevitable that manufacturers will reflect the increasing component costs in product prices.

High demand for artificial intelligence data centers is driving up the prices of DRAM and advanced memory products. This situation is affecting not only Samsung but also other tech giants like Apple, forcing them to change their pricing policies.

Samsung’s planned price increase is set at 149,600 South Korean won, or approximately $111, for all Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra models. If this increase is implemented, there will be a significant change in the actual sales prices of the devices.

The price of the Galaxy S26 model will increase from $934 to $1,046, while the price of the Galaxy S26+ model will rise from $1,082 to $1,194. The top model in the series, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, will increase from $1,340 to $1,451.

This increase in memory costs stands out as a critical factor directly affecting the production costs of smartphones. Companies are passing these costs on to consumer prices in order to protect their profit margins.

Market Expectations and Sales Concerns

It is said that this price increase planned by Samsung carries some risks across the sector. Distributors and retailers are concerned about rising prices in this period of weak economic conditions.

Experts state that this increase in smartphone prices may deter consumers from buying new devices. In particular, a decrease in sales volumes could create significant stagnation in retail channels.

It is not yet official whether Samsung has finalized this price increase. In addition, it remains unclear whether this increase will be reflected in global markets outside of South Korea.

The company continues to closely monitor this fluctuation in memory costs. Consumers and industry representatives are awaiting Samsung’s official statement in the coming days.

How do you think this increase in smartphone prices will affect your decision to buy a new device?