Samsung Galaxy S26 Prices Leak Ahead of Launch
Early pricing details for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series have surfaced, and the news isn’t great for most buyers. Rising memory chip costs and softer global demand appear to be shaping Samsung’s strategy for its next flagship lineup. As a result, prices for the Galaxy S26 and S26+ are expected to rise, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra surprisingly stands out as the only model offering better value.
These leaked figures come from European market data and provide a first look at how Samsung may position its 2026 flagship smartphones.
Higher Base Storage Pushes Prices Up
One major change across the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup is the removal of the 128GB storage option. Every model is expected to start at 256GB, which immediately raises the entry price.
For the standard Galaxy S26, the base model reportedly jumps significantly compared to its predecessor. Opting for 512GB storage now comes with a much steeper premium than in previous generations, making upgrades more expensive for users who need extra space.
The Galaxy S26+ follows a similar pattern. While the base storage variant remains closer to last year’s pricing, the higher-capacity version sees a sharp increase, widening the gap between configurations.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Breaks the Trend
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the exception in this otherwise gloomy pricing outlook. Unlike the smaller models, the Ultra version is expected to see a price reduction at its base storage level.
Even higher-capacity versions of the S26 Ultra show smaller increases compared to the rest of the lineup. Notably, the top-tier 1TB variant is expected to retain the same price as last year, signaling Samsung’s intent to keep its most premium model competitive despite rising component costs.
Fewer Preorder Incentives Expected
Another notable shift involves Samsung’s preorder strategy. In recent years, buyers often benefited from free storage upgrades during preorder periods. With memory prices rising, Samsung is expected to scale back or eliminate these promotions.
Since all models now ship with double the base storage compared to older generations, Samsung appears to be positioning this as the new value proposition instead of temporary preorder bonuses.
Why Samsung Can Still Absorb Some Costs
Samsung’s vertical integration gives it more flexibility than many competitors. By producing a significant portion of its own NAND and DRAM memory, the company can better manage supply constraints and pricing pressures. This likely explains why the Galaxy S26 Ultra avoids the harshest increases while lower-tier models absorb more of the cost impact.
What This Means for European Buyers
Based on current leaks, European pricing often higher than other regions suggests noticeable increases for most Galaxy S26 models. However, these figures remain estimates, as Samsung typically finalizes regional pricing closer to launch.
Some last-minute adjustments are still possible, especially if market conditions or component prices shift before the official announcement.
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The leaked Samsung Galaxy S26 prices point to a tougher market for buyers, with higher entry costs and fewer preorder incentives across most of the lineup. The clear exception is the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which manages to offer relatively better value despite being the most premium option. As launch day approaches, all eyes will be on whether Samsung makes further adjustments to soften the blow for consumers.
