Samsung is walking a tightrope right now. As of Thursday, January 8, 2026, the rumors about the Galaxy S26 series are getting messy, and it’s mostly because of the “AI tax.”
The thing is, the cost of making these phones has exploded. We’re hearing that the price of 12GB RAM has basically doubled in a year because everyone is fighting for memory chips to power AI data centers. Or nothing. Let’s be real, if Samsung keeps prices the same as the S25, they’re going to bleed money. If they raise them, they might lose buyers to Apple, who actually dropped the entry price of the iPhone 17 earlier this year. Those too.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
The “Unpacked 2026” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the launch date and the price tag are currently at odds.
-
The Date: Reliable leakers (including Evan Blass) have pinned February 25, 2026, for the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco. Sales will likely start in early March.
-
The “BIS” Factor: Both the S26+ and the S26 Ultra have already cleared India’s BIS certification (look for model SM-S947B/DS). They’re ready to go.
-
The Price Tug-of-War: Reports from Korea (FN News) suggest a hike of about 50 to 100 globally. In South Korea, it’s looking like a jump of 44,000 to 88,000 Won.
-
The “Kicker”: Samsung might freeze prices in the US to stay competitive, but in India? We might get the short end of the stick due to the weakening Rupee and import duties.
Leaked Price Speculation: S25 vs. S26 (India)
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
[Table: Estimated Launch Prices for February 2026]
| Model (Base 256GB) | Galaxy S25 (Actual) | Galaxy S26 (Expected) | Potential Hike |
| Galaxy S26 | ₹80,999 | ₹84,999 – ₹87,000 | ~₹5k+ |
| Galaxy S26+ | ₹99,999 | ₹1,04,999 – ₹1,09,000 | ~₹7k+ |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | ₹1,29,999 | ₹1,44,999 – ₹1,59,000 | ₹15k+ |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The S26 Ultra might be the only one getting the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip globally. The standard S26 and S26+ in India could ship with the Exynos 2600 (built on a new 2nm process).
The thing is, retailers are already panicking. You can currently snag a Galaxy S25 Ultra for around ₹1,05,940 on Amazon (with bank offers)—that’s a massive drop from its ₹1.3L launch price. It’s a classic inventory clear-out. If the S26 Ultra really pushes toward the ₹1.6L mark, that “old” S25 Ultra is going to look like a steal. It’s an ongoing situation where the “newest” might not be the “smartest” buy this year.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
End…
