Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus, have seen a price increase compared to their predecessors. According to Samsung’s COO of mobile business, Won-Joon Choi, the ongoing RAM shortage has played a significant role in driving up the costs.
Choi emphasized that the memory shortage made a ‘substantial contribution’ to the increased pricing of the S26 and S26 Plus, along with other rising material costs and tariffs. While the S26 does offer double the storage at 256GB compared to its predecessor, the $899 price point is $40 higher than the previous model with the same storage capacity. Samsung has raised prices globally, not just in the US.
The premium S26 Ultra variant boasts enhancements like a built-in privacy screen and an advanced vapor chamber cooling system.
The ripple effects of the RAM shortage extend beyond Samsung, impacting Qualcomm’s handset business as well. Qualcomm reported a substantial decline in its handset business due to the memory scarcity, attributing the situation to the insatiable demand for components in the AI industry.
Looking at the broader industry impact, IDC forecasts a record 12.9% drop in global smartphone shipments for 2026. The memory supply chain disruption is described as a ‘tsunami-like shock,’ with repercussions felt throughout the consumer electronics sector.
Source: The Verge