Uncertainty surrounding the price in the US market
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| Galaxy S26 |
With the official unveiling of the Galaxy S26 series approaching on February 25th, all eyes are on the most pressing question: how much will Samsung's new phones cost?
Amidst speculation of an expected price hike due to rising chip costs, and other leaks suggesting price stability—at least in the United States—the picture remains unclear.
Europe: Almost certain increases?
The latest leaks, which also revealed the series' specifications, confirm previous rumors about a potential price increase in Europe, according to a report published by PhoneArena and reviewed by MobiAlo.
According to the leaked information, the starting prices may be as follows:
- Galaxy S26 starting at €999.
- Galaxy S26 Plus starting at €1,269.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra starting at €1,469.
Details indicate that the 256GB version of the Galaxy S26 may see an increase of approximately €100 compared to the previous generation.
As for the Ultra version, the base price will increase by only about €20, with larger increases as storage capacity increases.
These figures align with previous leaks from the French market, reinforcing the likelihood of an actual price hike across Europe.
United States: Stagnation or limited increase?
Conversely, several reports suggest that prices may remain unchanged in the US market.
If Samsung decides to hold prices steady, we could see:
- The Galaxy S26 starting at $799.
- The Galaxy S26 Plus starting at $999.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra starting at $1,299.
However, a direct conversion between euros and dollars cannot be relied upon to predict prices, given the differences in taxes and pricing structures between the two markets.
If Samsung decides to raise prices in the US as well, the increase could range between $50 and $100 per model.
The worst-case scenario suggests a $100 increase, meaning the base model would start at around $900.
Will Samsung repeat the price freeze scenario?
Last year, similar rumors of impending price increases preceded the launch of the Galaxy S25, but Samsung kept prices unchanged at the last minute.
It remains to be seen whether the company will repeat the same strategy this year, or whether inflationary pressures and rising component costs will dictate a different reality.
In any case, pricing remains a crucial factor in Samsung's ability to compete, especially given the slowdown in the global smartphone market and the intensifying competition in the high-end segment.
