0 • Brady Snyder / Android Authority Add Android Authority on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover TL DR Samsung has raised prices for the Galaxy S26 series in the US and South Korea due to the global shortage of memory components. While 256GB and 512GB variants have seen a $100 price increase in the US, the 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra model costs $200 more.
What happened
While 256GB and 512GB variants have seen a $100 price increase in the US, the 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra model costs $200 more. While we’re still seeing some online listings that show the older price tag, that may not last long. This is still a developing thread, so the useful part is knowing which source signals are hardening and which ones still need caution. With devices, practical impact usually shows up in battery life, heat, stability, and long-term usability rather than in a few flashy headline numbers.
Where the sources line up
The global shortage of memory components has widely impacted the tech industry. We recently came across a report suggesting Samsung was about to raise the price of the Galaxy S26 series on October 1 . With the day finally here, the manufacturer has officially increased the prices of the Galaxy S26 series in the US and South Korea. With devices, practical impact usually shows up in battery life, heat, stability, and long-term usability rather than in a few flashy headline numbers. The readers who should care most are the ones planning to replace a device, buy an accessory, or upgrade a work setup in the next few months.
Practical impact for readers
A quick look at the Samsung US website reveals a $100 price bump across the 256GB and 512GB variants of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This means the cheapest Galaxy S26 version now starts at $999. 99, while the Galaxy S26 Plus and Ultra start at $1,199. 99 and $1,399. 99, respectively. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra in the 1TB configuration will cost $200 more, bringing it to $1,999. 99.
Who should pay attention now
Additionally, a Yonhap News report notes that Samsung has applied a similar price increase to its flagship lineup in South Korea. The entry-level Galaxy S26 with 256GB of storage has gone from 1,254,000 won (~$919) to 1,403,600 won (~$1,029), per the publication. Samsung has also given the 256GB models of the Galaxy S26 Plus and the Galaxy S26 Ultra a similar price bump of 149,600 won (~$110), bringing them to 1,601,600 won ($1,174) and 1,947,000 won (~$1,427), respectively.
What is still unclear
Meanwhile, the manufacturer has seemingly increased the price of the 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra by 270,000 won (~$198), nearly matching its US counterpart. This takes the flagship to 2,821,500 won (~$2,070) in Samsung’s home market. That is why the useful reading move is not to stop at the headline, but to compare the promise, the workflow change, and the likely cost before deciding anything.
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