Samsung has increased prices for most models in its Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup in the United States, raising prices by $100 for several configurations and by $200 for the 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra, as rising DRAM and NAND memory costs put pressure on electronics manufacturers.
The revised prices are listed on Samsung’s US online store ahead of the holiday shopping season. The increases come after the Galaxy S26 series launched in late February at prices already $100 higher than those of the previous generation.
The latest adjustment means the base Galaxy S26 now costs $999, up from its launch price of $899. This puts the entry-level flagship $200 above the Galaxy S25’s original price within a single generation.
New Samsung Galaxy S26 Prices in the US
The base Galaxy S26 now costs $999, while the 512GB version is listed at $1,199. The Galaxy S26 Plus starts at $1,199 for the 256GB configuration and rises to $1,399 for the 512GB version.
For the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the 256GB model has increased from $1,299 to $1,399, while the 512GB version has risen from $1,499 to $1,599. The 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra has recorded the largest increase, climbing by $200 to $1,999.
The revised prices widen the cost difference between Samsung’s flagship smartphones and more affordable models in its lineup. The recently launched Galaxy S26 FE is excluded from the increase and continues to start at $699.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Now Costs More Than Apple’s Iphone 18 Pro Max
The price adjustment places the Galaxy S26 Ultra above Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max, which starts at $1,299. Apple has also increased the price of its flagship iPhone by $100 this year amid the broader memory shortage.
The rising cost of memory components has become a challenge for smartphone manufacturers because DRAM supports device operations and multitasking, while NAND flash memory provides internal storage.
Higher component costs can put pressure on manufacturers’ margins, prompting companies to consider price increases, changes to product configurations or adjustments to promotional offers.
The United States is not the only market affected by Samsung’s pricing changes. The company has also raised Galaxy S26 prices in South Korea and recently increased prices for the series in India with expectations being that the increase would spread to every other market soon.
