Samsung Galaxy S26 might get pricier as chip costs surge
Samsung's next big phone, the Galaxy S26, could come with a higher price tag when it launches next month.
The reason? Chip prices—especially DRAM—have shot up dramatically this year, thanks to huge demand for AI tech.
At CES 2026, Samsung's co-CEO Roh Tae-moon called the spike "unprecedented," with DRAM costs jumping from $1.35 to $9.30 in just one year.
What else is new?
The S26 will run on Samsung's latest 2nm Exynos 2600 processor and pack upgraded AI features under the Galaxy AI brand.
Samsung wants to double its AI device count to 800 million by the end of 2026, and says user awareness of its AI has jumped from 30% to 80%.
While core AI features will stay free for now, Samsung may start charging for premium options later—a move under consideration as the company faces rising costs and increased price competition from Apple's iPhone 17.