You could avoid a higher price for the Galaxy S26... if you're in the United States.

      Samsung's pricing strategy for its 2026 flagship devices appears to be influenced by the dynamics of two distinct markets, with U.S. consumers potentially gaining from an atypical phase of moderation.

      Samsung's Galaxy S26 is garnering significant attention online, not for any revolutionary hardware or software features, but due to the ongoing memory crisis affecting production.

      Recently, Xiaomi introduced its latest Ultra smartphone at a price increase compared to its previous model, and a similar scenario may unfold for the Galaxy S26 series, though this may not apply to customers in the United States.

      A recent article from The Financial News suggests that the Galaxy S26 series could have a price range between 44,000 Won (approximately $30) and 88,000 Won (around $60) for the 256GB versions in the lineup.

      While it's not entirely clear, it seems the base Galaxy S26 (256GB) could see an increase of 44,000 Won, whereas the Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB), which typically features more RAM than other models, might be priced 88,000 Won higher than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

      This suggests that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could reach around 1.8 million Won in South Korea, an increase from the 1.69 million Won price tag of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. If this occurs, it would mark the first price increase for the Galaxy S series in three years.

      The rise in prices for the Galaxy S26 is attributed to the surging costs of essential components, such as DRAM and NAND flash memory. The report highlights that the cost of 12GB low-power DRAM (LPDDR5X) has more than doubled since early 2025 and is expected to escalate further in 2026.

      According to the report, Samsung's Mobile Experience (MX) division acknowledges that it can no longer maintain profitability without implementing price hikes. Nevertheless, the tech giant is reportedly willing to absorb these increased component costs and maintain current pricing levels in the United States.

      As for pricing, the standard Galaxy S26 might be set at $799.99, while the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra could be priced at $999.99 and $1,299.99, respectively. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were a $50 increase, particularly for the higher-end models featuring 12GB of RAM or more.

      It is essential to note that Samsung has not yet officially confirmed any of these reports. Additionally, the company is reportedly planning to hold its first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026 on February 25 in San Francisco.

      In the past five years, Shikhar has continuously made efforts to clarify advancements in consumer technology.

      If you're seeking a foldable device without the full retail price, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is currently discounted by $200.

      The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 256GB (unlocked) is now available for $899.99, reduced from its original price of $1,099.99, offering a $200 saving. This discount makes it an attractive option for those considering a foldable phone while wanting to avoid the full price tag.

      Looking ahead to 2026, there may be significant changes in AI, shifts in how we view wearables, and advancements in electric vehicles.

      The year 2025 had its unique moments, but it wasn't entirely smooth sailing for tech enthusiasts. Apple returned to its engineering roots, giving us a glimpse of innovation, but also highlighted its lagging position in the AI race compared to Google. Electric vehicles continued to improve, particularly in China, while interest waned in Western markets. Meta introduced a new class of smart glasses that resemble traditional Ray-Bans, and smaller companies like TCL’s RayNeo also made strides in this space.

      The Galaxy S26 Ultra might appeal to photography enthusiasts, as it is expected to feature several key software enhancements for its camera system, rather than new hardware.

      The forthcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is anticipated to include significant camera-related upgrades, focusing on software improvements that enhance the photography and videography experience. According to noted tipster Ice Universe, the device will have reduced lens flare, a common issue in smartphone photography, through the deployment of "enhanced lens and coating technology."