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Samsung raises Galaxy S26 prices in South Korea and the US as memory costs climb

Samsung has raised prices of most Galaxy S26 models in South Korea and the US, with memory chip costs cited as the pressure on margins.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: CNA
Image: The Verge

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

Samsung Electronics has raised the prices of its flagship Galaxy S26 phones, according to the Yonhap news agency as relayed by CNA on 1 October. In South Korea the base model rose by 149,600 won to 1,403,600 won (about $1,030), and other models rose by the same amount. The exception was the S26 Ultra 1TB model, which went up by 270,000 won to 2,821,500 won.

In the US, Phone Arena reported, and The Verge relayed, that prices rose by $100 or more, putting the base 256GB S26 at $999, up from $899. The S26 Ultra 1TB rose by $200 to $1,999, while the S26 FE, which starts at $699, appears unchanged. The S26 line launched in March with higher prices for some models in the US and South Korea; the S26 and S26 Plus were already $100 above their S25 predecessors, which Samsung partly blamed on RAM prices.

With both rises combined, the base S26 costs $200 more than the base S25 would have, and The Verge notes Apple and Google have also raised phone prices this year.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Consumer-focused tech item on the US increase, showing the cumulative cost to buyers versus the S25.
Emphasis
Dollar price list, the combined $200 rise over the S25, and industry-wide price hikes.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the South Korean increase; memory costs are only touched on via the earlier launch.
For example
“the base S26 will now set you back $200 more than the base S25 would have” — The Verge

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Brief business wire-style item on the South Korean increase, citing Yonhap and linking it to pressure on margins from memory chip costs.
Emphasis
Won price changes and the cause in memory chip prices.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention US price changes or other manufacturers' increases.
For example
“as soaring memory chip costs pressure margins” — CNA

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.