{"id":252187,"date":"2026-01-26T07:59:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T07:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/252187\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T07:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T07:59:12","slug":"im-stoked-that-galaxy-s26-ultra-price-leaks-hint-at-no-hikes-but-this-could-come-at-a-cost-heres-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/252187\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m stoked that Galaxy S26 Ultra price leaks hint at no hikes, but this could come at a cost \u2014 here\u2019s how"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone\u2019s still waiting to hear from Samsung about official confirmation for its next Galaxy Unpacked event<\/a>, where we\u2019ll presumably finally get our first look at the Galaxy S26<\/a> series. I\u2019ve already explained if you should think about upgrading<\/a> to the Galaxy S26 Ultra<\/a> if you\u2019re currently using a previous model \u2014 but a lot of my recommendation is based on its pricing.<\/p>\n

So far, Galaxy S26 Ultra price leaks hint at a promising cost for Samsung\u2019s flagship phone. The latest report from South Korea-based iNews24<\/a> (via SamMobile<\/a>) claims that the Galaxy S26 Ultra would debut at a price similar to its predecessor, putting it at $1,299 stateside.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

While I\u2019m delighted by this possibility, the skyrocketing price of memory chip components could be forcing Samsung to tighten its belt in other areas. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

RAM shortage puts Samsung in a corner<\/p>\n

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\"Gaming\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n

Phone makers need to make a profit off their devices, but skyrocketing RAM prices<\/a> over the last year could be the primary reason Galaxy S26 Ultra prices might climb in certain regions.<\/p>\n

Whether or not the AI boom is the sole driver of these semiconductor price fluctuations, High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and server-grade DDR5 chips are now in huge demand from companies needing them to power their AI models. Manufacturers like Micron are prioritizing these components over the production of the mobile RAM that phones like the Galaxy S26 Ultra rely on.<\/p>\n

As a result, the cost of the LPDDR5X RAM expected in the Galaxy S26 Ultra is reportedly set to triple. To maintain profitability, something has to give \u2014 and that could come in the form of reduced discounts and fewer pre-order incentives.<\/p>\n

Say goodbye to the legendary double storage pre-order bonus<\/p>\n

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\"Samsung\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve covered the last two major flagship releases from Samsung. Usually, I\u2019m against upgrading to a new phone, especially if your current one is less than a year old \u2014 but the preorder deals offered for these past models made it almost impossible not to push the button.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because Samsung has often leaned on a storage upgrade bonus, which gives you the next tier up for the price of the base model. For example, you\u2019d be upgraded to 512GB of storage for the price of the 256GB version. The discounts didn\u2019t end there, either, as other bonuses included generous trade-in savings which, depending on the device, could leave you paying almost nothing at checkout.<\/p>\n

Accessories could become optional<\/p>\n

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\"Samsung\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Alex Bracetti\/Future)<\/p>\n

Another frequent strategy Samsung has fallen back on countless times is throwing in freebies in the form of accessories, or at the very least, offering deep discounts. Not only have I seen free Galaxy Buds<\/a> bundled with a new Galaxy, but I\u2019ve also seen this applied to the Galaxy Watch<\/a> lineup. There are also the aggressive \u201cGalaxy Store\u201d credits that typically accompany flagship launches, but those, too, could be scaled back.<\/p>\n

These accessories and added discounts help keep users in the ecosystem, but Samsung could inadvertently be jeopardizing that loyalty by reducing these offers with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Launch day bundles have become synonymous with Samsung, but I fear they\u2019re on the chopping block to keep the phone at that $1,299 price point.<\/p>\n

Part of me doesn\u2019t feel bad about this because, frankly, I\u2019m not one to indulge in package deals. However, I do understand how they serve as a huge incentive to convince others to upgrade.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Google\n<\/p>\n

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