Galaxy S26 pricing leak suggests Samsung will charge more for the base model but cut the Ultra’s price

Samsung Galaxy

• Samsung might hike Galaxy S26 base model prices, but cut the Ultra variant's cost.
• Base S26 model may drop 128GB option, raising minimum price for buyers
• Galaxy S26 Ultra may get upgrades and a lower launch price than its predecessor

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New reports indicate that Samsung is preparing a mixed pricing strategy for its upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup, one that raises the cost of entry-level models while making the top-end Ultra variant more affordable. The information comes from Swedish retailer listings and was first highlighted by WinFuture, offering an early look at how Samsung may be reshaping its flagship pricing in response to shifting component costs.

Rumours of a Galaxy S26 price hike have been circulating for months, largely tied to the rising cost of memory. Demand for high-bandwidth memory used in AI workloads has surged, with manufacturers prioritising supply for data centres and enterprise hardware. As a result, DRAM prices have climbed, and smartphone makers like Samsung are increasingly forced to absorb or pass on those costs to consumers.

According to the leaked Swedish pricing data, the standard Galaxy S26 is expected to cost around 11,990 SEK. This represents an increase of roughly €100 compared to the previous generation, but there is an important caveat. The increase applies when comparing 256GB models, not the older 128GB base variant. Samsung is reportedly planning to drop the lowest storage option altogether, effectively raising the minimum configuration and making the higher price look steeper on paper.

What makes the situation more confusing is the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Despite being the most expensive and feature-packed device in the lineup, the Ultra is tipped to launch at nearly €100 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the same market. This would be a rare move for Samsung, especially at a time when component costs are rising and flagship hardware is becoming more expensive to produce.

One explanation suggested in the report is that Samsung wants to keep the Ultra as attractive as possible to high-end buyers, even if that means squeezing margins. Another theory is that Samsung could scale back popular launch incentives, such as free storage upgrades for pre-order customers. If those promotions are removed or limited, the lower headline price of the Ultra may not translate into better overall value compared to previous years.

The pricing shift also comes alongside reports of meaningful upgrades to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. These reportedly include a new privacy-focused display feature, alongside expected improvements to the camera system and battery performance. If accurate, Samsung may be positioning the Ultra as the clear value leader within its own flagship range, despite sitting at the top of the spec sheet.

It is also worth noting that this data originates from Sweden, a market where smartphone prices tend to be higher due to taxes and regional pricing structures. Even so, such figures are often used as a reference for broader European pricing, particularly in markets like Germany. While prices in the US and other regions may differ, the relative positioning between models is likely to remain similar.

If these reports prove accurate, Samsung risks making its base and Plus models less appealing, especially if their prices creep closer to the Ultra. Budget-conscious buyers may instead gravitate towards older Galaxy devices or future FE models. More broadly, the situation highlights how global RAM shortages and AI-driven demand are starting to impact smartphone pricing in visible ways, something consumers are likely to notice more often in the years ahead.