3 Minutes
Leaks pick up speed as Samsung's next flagship cycle approaches. This time the rumor mill — led by reliable leaker Roland Quandt — focuses on European pricing and a shift that could reshape how buyers think about storage tiers.
Short version: the Galaxy S26 appears to start at 256GB, not 128GB. That sounds generous. It also seems likely to nudge the base S26 price up by roughly €200 compared with last year’s 128GB S25. Why? Manufacturers are quietly standardizing higher base storage across premium phones. Consumers get more room, but the sticker shock follows.
Not every model follows that pattern. The S26+ with 256GB reportedly lands at about the same price as the S25+ with the same capacity. So Samsung may be balancing the lineup rather than hiking prices across the board. And then there’s the twist everyone will inspect closely: the base Galaxy S26 Ultra looks to be around €100 cheaper than the S25 Ultra. The 512GB Ultra variant could also undercut its predecessor, while the top-tier 1TB model may keep last year’s pricing.
Curious about freebies? Don’t expect them. The leak suggests Samsung won’t offer complimentary storage upgrades with pre-orders for the S26 series. Pre-order incentives may appear in other forms, but free bumps in internal storage won’t be on that list.
Do these numbers apply everywhere? Not exactly. The figures circulated are specific to Sweden, where pricing is influenced by the krona and a relatively high VAT. Translation to prices in other EU markets — and especially the US — will vary. Exchange rates, regional taxes, and local marketing strategies all play a part.
So what should buyers infer? If these leaks hold true, Samsung is nudging the market toward higher base storage while trying to keep flagship Ultra appeal intact by trimming its entry price. The move could simplify choices for shoppers who want more on-device space without wading through multiple upgrade options. But it also complicates year-to-year price comparisons: a higher starting capacity now doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper phone in real terms.
Key takeaway: expect a 256GB base for the S26, mixed price shifts across models, and no free storage upgrades with pre-orders — with current leaks drawn from Sweden-specific listings.
Keep an eye on regional price sheets and Samsung’s official announcement. Leaks tell a story, but the final chapter comes from the company itself.
Source: gsmarena
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