Galaxy S26 Price Hike Looks Likely, and Pre-Order Perks May Be Cut

A price hike for the Galaxy S26 series is looking more likely than ever. While the US may be immune to this increase, Samsung may still drop some popular pre-order benefits. New reports suggest the company is considering removing the popular free storage upgrade.

Galaxy S26 buyers may get fewer pre-order benefits

Samsung’s smartphone chief, TM Roh, recently revealed that the possibility of price increases for the Galaxy S26 series is very likely. Rising component costs, particularly memory chips, and ongoing supply pressures appear to be forcing the hike. A fresh report from South Korea now says some pre-order benefits could also be on the chopping block.

For years, Samsung has attracted early buyers of its Galaxy S flagships with a free storage upgrade. Buyers who pre-ordered typically received the next storage tier at no extra cost: those who purchased the 128GB model received the 256GB version, while those who purchased the 256GB model received the 512GB version. This helps drive strong early sales and improve launch momentum.

However, as memory prices soar, Samsung may no longer be able to afford a free storage upgrade. Upgrading from 256GB to 512GB typically adds around $120 to a phone’s retail value, a high cost in today’s increasingly competitive flagship market. The company now sees cutting back on this pre-order incentive as an easier way to manage costs.

It’s unclear if Samsung plans to replace it with something else. Even if it does, it’s unlikely to be of the same value. The company still has several weeks to finalize its launch strategy before unveiling the Galaxy S26 lineup at its next Galaxy Unpacked event, expected in late February.

Meanwhile, we are sweetening our mystery boxes this year. If you pre-order a Galaxy S26, S26+, or S26 Ultra through the Mystery Box program, we will offer you a free 65W charger, protective case, desktop stand, and more accessories.