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Sticker shock. That’s the instinct when you read the latest pricing leak for Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup. With the launch just weeks away, whispers about cost have hardened into concrete figures for France — and some of them sting.
According to the report, the base Galaxy S26 with 256GB would start at €999, roughly €40 above the comparable S25 model, while the 512GB variant nudges up to €1,199, a smaller €20 increase. The Galaxy S26+ looks worse on paper: a starting price of €1,269, about €100 more than last year’s S25+, and a 512GB configuration reportedly hitting €1,469 — roughly €180 higher than its predecessor.
The Ultra presents a mixed picture. The 256GB Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to remain at €1,469, matching the S25 Ultra’s base price. Push to 512GB and 1TB, however, and the numbers climb to €1,669 and €1,969 respectively, which would be about €80 and €140 more than the matching S25 Ultra options.
Why the jump? The short answer: chips. Memory pricing has risen as demand from AI applications strains supply chains. That pressure filters down to device makers and, ultimately, to retail tags. Taxes, regional fees, and local pricing strategies will also shape the final numbers.
Higher memory chip costs tied to AI demand appear to be the main driver of these increases.
Of course, these French prices are a snapshot, not a global decree. Exchange rates, VAT, carrier subsidies, and Samsung’s regional strategy mean what you pay could be very different depending on where you live. Expect official pricing at Samsung’s launch event — and be ready to compare numbers carefully before you preorder.
Source: sammobile
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