While we were talking about how the recently released Galaxy S26 dropped in price, Samsung decided to raise prices on flagship devices in several regions at once. The first increases may begin as early as the first week of June, and we’re not talking about new models, but about those already on sale. For those who were eyeing the Galaxy S26, Z Fold 7, or Z Flip 7, this is a signal: it’s better not to delay your purchase, as Samsung prices are going up.
Samsung prices are not looking good
Which Samsung Smartphones Will Get More Expensive
According to the Greek publication TechManiacs, Samsung will raise prices on several flagship smartphone lineups in Greece starting the first week of June. The price increase will affect the Galaxy S series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, as well as Galaxy FE models.
The minimum increase will be about 100 euros, and versions with more storage could get even pricier. By some estimates, certain configurations will rise in price by 200 euros. This is significant: for the Galaxy S26, which already costs more in Europe than the American version, an extra 100–200 euros substantially changes the equation.
Primarily flagship models are getting more expensive
Samsung has not yet officially confirmed the price increase in Europe. But in the context of what has already happened in the US, this insider information looks plausible. Especially against the backdrop of the memory crisis in the smartphone market, which we discussed separately.
Where Samsung Has Already Raised Prices
The European price hike won’t be the first. When the Galaxy S26 series launched in February 2026, Samsung had already raised prices on the base models. The Galaxy S26 started at $899 instead of $799, and the Galaxy S26 Plus at $1,099 instead of $999. A $100 increase for each model. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra kept its previous price of $1,299.
Then Samsung quietly raised prices on devices already on sale. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 versions with 512 GB and 1 TB of storage in the US went up by $80 without any announcement. Now the 512 GB version costs $2,200, and the 1 TB version costs $2,500. In the US, Samsung raised prices only on the higher storage variants of smartphones, while tablet prices went up across the entire lineup. This is an important detail: if you’re planning to buy a Galaxy Tab, you should factor in the same trend.
Why Samsung Smartphones Are Getting More Expensive
The reason isn’t marketing greed but rising component costs. The main factor is a shortage of consumer memory chips. The artificial intelligence industry is consuming factory production capacity: factories have redirected resources to produce chips for data centers, leaving less memory available for smartphones.
It’s all due to the memory market crisis
According to CNBC, the average smartphone price in 2026 is expected to rise by 6.9% specifically due to memory shortages. Samsung co-president T.M. Roh himself acknowledged back in January that price increases on new devices were “inevitable.” Samsung isn’t alone: OPPO, OnePlus, vivo, and Xiaomi have already raised prices in various regions due to the same RAM crisis. So the trend affects the entire Android smartphone market, not just the Korean brand.
Will Samsung Smartphones Get More Expensive in Russia
It’s still unclear whether the price increase will spread to markets beyond Greece. But journalists at Android Central note that if the insider information is confirmed, the price hike could affect other European countries, as well as the US and India.
As for Samsung prices in Russia: the brand formally left the Russian market, but the brand’s flagships continue to be sold through parallel imports. Price increases in Europe will inevitably affect Russian price tags: importers purchase devices on European markets, and any additional 100–200 euros is passed on to the final cost. For reference: the Galaxy S26 Ultra with 256 GB at a starting price of $1,299 is roughly 140,000 ₽ in Russia. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a base price of $2,000 is approximately 215,000 ₽. After the price hike, these amounts will be even higher.
Is It Worth Buying Samsung in 2026
It all depends on which device you’re considering. If you want the Galaxy S26 or S26 Plus, the current price is the best it’s going to be. Given that Samsung already raised prices on these models at launch and is now preparing for another round, every month of waiting works against the buyer.
The situation with the Galaxy S26 Ultra is softer: this model is still holding its launch price and, judging by Samsung’s behavior, may be the last to see an increase. This is exactly why, incidentally, the Galaxy S26 series was already 50–80 euros more expensive than its predecessors in base versions at its European launch.
At this price, it’s better to buy Samsung now
If you’ve been eyeing the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Z Flip 7, the situation is twofold. On one hand, prices are rising. On the other, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 presentation is expected on July 22, 2026, at Galaxy Unpacked. Foldable models usually get cheaper through sales after the new generation is announced. But given the overall trend toward price increases, discounts may be more modest than usual.
Raising prices on already released smartphones is unusual for Samsung, but in 2026 it’s becoming the norm. The memory shortage caused by the AI boom is hitting the entire market, and the buyer ends up paying the price. If buying a Samsung flagship was in your summer plans, it’s wiser to act now before prices are updated. This is especially true for models with increased storage — the 512 GB and 1 TB versions are the first to get more expensive and see the biggest increases. Samsung is trying to hold the line on base variants for now, but even that patience isn’t infinite.
