Samsung may hike prices on its most affordable phones as memory crunch bites in 2026

Samsung

• Samsung Galaxy A07 5G sees Rs. 4,500-5,000 price hike over last year's model
• RAM shortage drives up costs, with few major upgrades over Galaxy A06 5G
• Budget phone prices may rise in 2026 due to global memory supply issues.

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After months of warnings about rising component costs, the impact of the global RAM shortage is starting to show up in real-world pricing. Samsung’s upcoming budget phones appear to be getting noticeably more expensive, offering an early signal of what consumers can expect throughout 2026.

According to a report spotted by SammyGuru, the Galaxy A07 5G is preparing to launch in India following its recent debut in Thailand. Retailer listings suggest Samsung plans to price the base 4GB RAM variant at Rs. 15,999, while the 6GB version is expected to cost Rs. 17,999. Both models come with 128GB of internal storage, keeping capacity consistent across configurations.

On the surface, these prices may not look unusual for Samsung’s lower-end Galaxy A-series. However, when compared to last year’s model, the increase is striking. The Galaxy A06 5G was sold in similar configurations, with 4GB and 6GB RAM options paired with 128GB of storage, but at significantly lower prices. The older model launched at Rs. 11,499 for the base variant and Rs. 12,999 for the higher-memory version. That represents a jump of roughly Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 5,000 year-on-year, a substantial increase for devices positioned as affordable entry points.

What makes the hike harder to swallow is the lack of major upgrades. Samsung has made only modest changes between the two generations. The Galaxy A07 5G and its predecessor reportedly share the same chipset, similar camera hardware, identical IP ratings, and broadly comparable overall performance. The most notable improvements are a shift to a 120Hz HD+ display, up from a 90Hz panel on the previous model, and a larger 6,000mAh battery. The increased battery capacity explains the slightly thicker and heavier design, but it is unlikely to justify such a sharp rise in pricing on its own.

This has led many observers to point to the ongoing RAM shortage as the primary driver behind the higher costs. Memory prices have been under pressure as AI workloads consume a growing share of global DRAM supply. Manufacturers have limited ability to offset these increases, especially in the budget segment, where margins are already thin and there is little room to absorb higher component costs without passing them on to consumers.

The situation also highlights a broader industry trend. Analysts have long warned that low-end smartphones would be hit hardest by rising memory prices. Premium devices have more flexibility to adjust pricing, features, or positioning, but entry-level phones are often built to strict cost targets. When a core component like RAM becomes more expensive, price increases become almost unavoidable.

The Galaxy A07 5G is not expected to launch in the US, making it harder to directly assess how this pricing shift will translate across markets. Still, it raises questions about what lies ahead for Samsung’s more popular mid-range A-series models and even its upcoming flagship lineup, including next year’s Galaxy S series. If memory costs remain elevated, similar adjustments could ripple through Samsung’s entire portfolio.

For consumers, this development serves as an early warning. If these prices hold, upgrading to a new phone in 2026, especially at the budget end of the market, may be more expensive than in previous years. With the RAM shortage showing no signs of easing quickly, buyers may want to factor higher prices into their upgrade plans sooner rather than later.