SEOUL, Feb 3, 2026, 18:31 (KST)
- Leaks and a Korean media report suggest Samsung’s next Galaxy S26 Ultra could cost more as memory chip prices climb.
- Separate reports point to a redesigned camera module and potential tuning changes, alongside uncertainty on built-in Qi2 magnets.
- Samsung has not announced the Galaxy S26 line; the company’s next Unpacked event is widely expected later this month.
Samsung Electronics’ next flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, could come with a higher price tag as costs rise for memory components used in smartphones, according to a report cited by Android Headlines. Androidheadlines
Why it matters now is simple: DRAM — the working memory in a phone — and NAND flash, used for storage, are getting more expensive again. That squeezes margins for device makers unless they raise prices, trim specs, or lean harder on trade-ins and promotions.
The leak cycle has also shifted. With an expected launch window in sight, reports are moving from rough claims to imagery and accessory details that can shape how buyers think about upgrades — from the camera block to wireless charging magnets. Indiatimes
Android Headlines said the Korean outlet NewDaily pegged the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s price at about 6% higher than the prior model, pointing to increased DRAM and NAND costs. It put a U.S. starting price in the rough range of $1,350 to $1,400 versus a $1,299.99 launch price for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The report also cited a South Korean starting price of 1.8 million won, up from 1.69 million won for the Galaxy S25 Ultra at launch. Samsung has not confirmed pricing or announced the S26 lineup.
Research firm TrendForce on Monday forecast sharp quarter-on-quarter jumps in memory pricing, raising its outlook for “conventional” DRAM contract prices to 90%–95% and NAND flash to 55%–60% in the first quarter of 2026. Trendforce
Samsung’s mobile chief Roh Tae-moon has also warned of price pressure. “There will be some form of price impact,” he was quoted as saying, while an analyst at Heungkuk Securities, Sohn In-joon, said “the profitability gap” between Samsung’s memory and device businesses “could widen further.” Joins
On wireless charging, 9to5Google said a fresh leak of first-party cases suggests Samsung may skip built-in Qi2 magnets across the Galaxy S26 range, with Samsung offering both magnetic and non-magnetic cases. That pattern, the site argued, is hard to square with phones that have magnets inside the chassis. 9To5Google
Qi2 is a wireless charging standard that uses magnets to help align a charger — and, in practice, to support add-ons like wallets and mounts. Apple’s iPhone has long used magnets for that kind of ecosystem, and Google’s Pixel 10 line is the only major Android range that has adopted native Qi2 magnets so far, 9to5Google said.
Camera changes look more certain, at least on the outside. TechRadar cited a leaked marketing-style image shared by tipster Evan Blass showing a new housing where three lenses sit on a raised platform, a shift from the current look where lenses protrude individually. Techradar
The same report said one source pointed to a 12-megapixel upgrade for the 3x telephoto camera, up from 10 megapixels, and flagged a possible new lens and larger sensor for the 200-megapixel main camera. It also pointed to image-processing tweaks aimed at more realistic colour and fewer artefacts such as “banding” — faint stripes that can show up in smooth skies — though TechRadar noted not all sources agree on the telephoto upgrade.
Other recent leak reports have suggested Samsung sticks with a 5,000 mAh battery on the S26 Ultra and may raise wired charging speeds, alongside an Unpacked launch date of Feb. 25 in Evan Blass’ posts and reposts, according to the Times of India and Gadgets360. Forbes also published a report summarising similar leak claims. Gadgets360 Forbes
Still, this is all leak territory. Pricing can swing with currency moves, carrier subsidies and promotions, and Samsung could absorb some component inflation to protect volume. The Qi2 decision could also change if Samsung opts to ship magnets in some regions or relies on cases to do the job.
