Galaxy S26 Could Get a $50 Price Hike, Feb. 25 Launch

• Key Takeaways:
• Samsung reportedly plans a ₩44,000–₩88,000 (~$30–$50) price increase on Galaxy S26 256GB models.
• The hike would be the first for the S series since 2023 and is tied to rising component costs.
• A launch event is reported for February 25 with retail availability expected in March.
• Samsung may keep U.S. prices unchanged to protect sales, according to the report.

What the new reports say

South Korea’s FNNews reports Samsung is considering raising prices across the Galaxy S26 lineup by 44,000–88,000 won, which converts roughly to $30–$50. The increase would apply specifically to 256GB SKUs, which have become the base storage tier for the series.

Why Samsung might raise prices

Sources point to “skyrocketing” component costs as the primary driver. The S26 program has already seen cost-cutting elsewhere, a strategy reportedly influenced by the iPhone 17 lineup’s pricing and market positioning.

Translated excerpt from the FNNews report

“This will be the first time in three years since 2023 that the price of the Galaxy S series will increase. Unlike the ‘Galaxy S24’, which maintained the price of only the regular and Plus models, the prices of all Galaxy S25 models have been frozen. However, Samsung Electronics is considering setting the release prices in major countries, such as the US, the same as the previous model to promote global sales.”

Timing: February 25 event, March release

The same report identifies February 25 as a likely launch event date for the S26 family, with units expected to reach stores in March. That timeline aligns with earlier leaks and Samsung’s typical winter-spring flagship cadence.

How this may affect different markets

Historically, Samsung has adjusted pricing regionally: some markets see increases while others do not. FNNews suggests Samsung is weighing keeping U.S. launch prices the same as prior models to avoid dampening demand, even if prices rise elsewhere.

What buyers should expect

If confirmed, the reported hike would be modest in absolute terms but meaningful for buyers upgrading from recent models. The increase targets higher base-capacity variants (256GB), so shoppers can compare trade-in and carrier promotion deals when the phones go on sale.

Bottom line

Expect Samsung to announce official pricing and regional details at or after the rumored February 25 event. For now, the $30–$50 increase on 256GB Galaxy S26 models reflects supply-chain pressure more than a shift in product strategy.