Samsung’s next flagship lineup — the Galaxy S26 series — is shaping up to be one of the most controversial and eagerly anticipated smartphone launches of 2026. New leaks circulating ahead of the expected Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026 show a surprising pricing strategy: while the standard Galaxy S26 may see a price increase, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could actually be cheaper than its predecessor.
This leak has shaken the flagship segment because price cuts on top-end flagship phones are rare — especially in a time when component costs like RAM and storage have skyrocketed globally. But what’s behind this strategy, what exactly are the leaked prices, and what does it mean for buyers? Let’s break it all down.
Mixed Pricing: Higher for Standard, Lower for Ultra
According to leaked retail listings and industry tipsters like Roland Quandt, Samsung is reportedly adopting a mixed pricing strategy for the Galaxy S26 series:
📈 Galaxy S26 & S26+ Might Be More Expensive
- The base Galaxy S26 (likely starting at 256GB) could cost more than the previous Galaxy S25 equivalent. This marks a shift from Samsung’s usual pricing approach where the base model often maintained parity with the prior generation. Samsung may be increasing prices due to higher RAM and storage costs, and also because the base storage tier has shifted from 128GB to 256GB.
- The Galaxy S26+ could either remain similar in price or slightly increase at higher storage levels.
📉 Galaxy S26 Ultra Could Be Cheaper
The buzz around the Ultra model is the big surprise. Leaked figures suggest the S26 Ultra’s 256GB and 512GB variants may be around €100 (roughly ₹11,000) cheaper than the S25 Ultra equivalents. Even the 512GB variant could see a slight reduction, while the 1TB tier may stay about the same price.
This could make the S26 Ultra one of the best-priced flagship Android devices in its class for 2026 — a bold pricing move if it holds true.
Leaked Price Estimates: Region-by-Region Glimpse
Since official pricing hasn’t been announced yet, leaks give us a rough idea of what to expect globally. According to European retailer listings and industry reporting:
🔹 Galaxy S26 (256GB): Around €1,049 (~₹? lakh equivalent)
🔹 Galaxy S26 (512GB): Around €1,259
🔹 Galaxy S26+ (256GB): Around €1,299
🔹 Galaxy S26+ (512GB): Around €1,449
🔹 Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB): Around €1,399
🔹 Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): Around €1,569
🔹 Galaxy S26 Ultra (1TB): Around €1,809
Even though these are European figures (actual Indian launch prices will vary due to taxes and regional market strategies), the trend is clear: a price reduction on the Ultra at the lower storage tiers, while the base S26 series climbs upward.
Why This Price Shift Is Happening
🧠 1. Rising Memory Costs
Global pricing for high-bandwidth memory like RAM and NAND storage has been under pressure due to AI and data center demand, which affects smartphone components. Many manufacturers are trying to absorb some of these costs without passing them fully onto consumers. As a result, flagship pricing has become unpredictable.
📦 2. Storage Strategy Change
Samsung seems to be dropping 128GB as the base storage option across the S26 lineup, moving straight to 256GB. This naturally pushes the entry prices upward even without a nominal price increase.
📉 3. Competitive Flagship Market
Apple’s pricing around the iPhone 18 series — which analysts expect to remain stable despite rising costs — may be pressuring Samsung to keep its flagship prices competitive. Reducing the cost of the Ultra could make Samsung’s most premium offering more appealing against both Apple and high-end Android rivals.
🎁 4. Changing Pre-Order Incentives
Reports suggest that Samsung may phase out free storage upgrades during pre-order promotions, which were common in previous years. If Samsung wants to reduce the Ultra’s sticker price, eliminating incentives could help balance profit margins.
What This Means for Consumers
👍 Better Value at the Top
For buyers eyeing flagship performance and camera capability, a cheaper S26 Ultra at launch could be excellent news. A price reduction at the high end makes cutting-edge tech — like advanced camera systems, powerful processors, and premium materials — more accessible.
🤔 Higher Base Model Costs
However, for buyers considering the standard Galaxy S26 as their flagship phone, the news isn’t as cheerful. Because Samsung may be increasing the starting price (driven by more storage and component costs), buyers might feel the pinch unless they find deals or trade-in offers.
💡 Re-Evaluating Flagship Pricing Expectations
This pricing strategy suggests Samsung is experimenting:
➡️ Push premium value on the top-end Ultra model.
➡️ Shift mid-tier pricing upward to balance rising component costs.
By making the Ultra cheaper relative to the standard model, Samsung may be redefining what “base flagship” and “premium flagship” mean in 2026.
Regional Pricing: What It Could Mean in India
Direct conversions from leaked euro prices don’t reflect actual Indian launch prices due to currency turnout, GST, import duties, and market strategies. But a recent India-specific leak suggests possible pricing in the region:
📱 Galaxy S26 (256GB): Around ₹84,999
📱 Galaxy S26+ (256GB): Around ₹1,04,999
📱 Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB): Around ₹1,34,999
These are early figures and could change at launch. But the trend — a lower price for the Ultra compared with the S25 Ultra — might hold true.
Will Samsung Confirm These Prices?
Samsung hasn’t officially announced pricing yet, but leaks have turned up through multiple credible sources — including retailer listings, well-known tipsters, and aggregated regional data. The consensus across reports is consistent: a price increase for the regular S26 models and a surprising price drop for the Ultra.
The Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for late February 2026 will likely confirm the official prices, specs, and Indian pricing. Until then, consumers can prepare for a unique flagship cycle — one where the most ambitious model might cost less than ever before.
Conclusion: A New Flagship Pricing Strategy?
The leaked price details for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series suggest Samsung is making a bold departure from its usual flagship pricing structure. While the base Galaxy S26 may cost more due to storage upgrades and rising component costs, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is positioned to be more affordable than its predecessor — a rare move in the current market.
For smartphone enthusiasts, this means more value at the top end, forcing competitors like Apple and Google to respond. For everyday buyers, it may shift how people think about flagship pricing — making premium phones feel more within reach than ever.
As launch day approaches, all eyes will be on Samsung to see if these rumors finally become reality.