Galaxy S26 Ultra now costs more than iPhone 18 Pro Max

Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy S26 series, which is priced $100 higher than its predecessor. This increase is attributed to the ongoing DRAM and NAND pricing crisis that has impacted the semiconductor industry and, consequently, the production costs of smartphones.

## Why it matters This price hike not only affects Samsung's competitiveness against Apple but also reflects a worrying trend in the tech industry. As production costs rise, consumers can expect to pay more for devices that were previously more affordable.

## What we know The Galaxy S26 series was launched in late February this year, and the price increase has been implemented just ahead of the important holiday shopping season in the U.S. This may influence consumer purchasing decisions as they compare prices and features among the leading market competitors.

## What is still unclear It has not yet been confirmed whether this price increase will affect other models within the Galaxy S26 series or if Samsung plans to make further adjustments in the future. The company has not detailed how it intends to address the chip crisis in the long term.