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Galaxy S26 Ultra Price Hike? RAM Costs Soar!
26 Jan
Summary
- Galaxy S26 Ultra price may stay similar to predecessor at $1,299.
- RAM costs for S26 Ultra are reportedly set to triple due to chip demand.
- Fewer discounts and pre-order incentives are expected for the S26 Ultra.
Samsung's next flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, is rumored to debut at approximately $1,299, mirroring its predecessor's price. Despite this expected price stability in the United States, the cost of essential components is dramatically increasing.
The surge in demand for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and server-grade DDR5 chips, driven by the AI boom, is impacting the availability and price of mobile RAM. Consequently, the LPDDR5X RAM slated for the Galaxy S26 Ultra is projected to triple in cost.
To maintain profitability amidst these rising expenses, Samsung may significantly scale back on promotional offers. This could mean fewer storage upgrade bonuses, reduced trade-in savings, and a decrease in bundled accessories like Galaxy Buds or Watches, as well as fewer Galaxy Store credits.
These lucrative launch day incentives have historically been a major draw for consumers. By potentially reducing these offers, Samsung risks diminishing the appeal of upgrading and may affect customer loyalty, despite efforts to keep the base price consistent.
