Due to a global shortage of memory chips, Samsung’s upcoming gadgets, including the Galaxy S26, may be more expensive than initially expected.
TM Roh, Samsung’s co-CEO, said the company cannot avoid problems caused by limited DRAM supply for its devices. Speaking to Reuters, he explained, “As this situation is unprecedented, no company is immune to its impact.” When asked about potential price increases, Roh did not give a direct answer but suggested that price adjustments are “inevitable.”
According to South Korea’s fnnews.com, sources suggest that the price of the 256GB Galaxy S26 could rise by 44,000 to 88,000 won, roughly $40 to $60. This follows a December prediction by analyst firm IDC, which warned that pressure on DRAM production could increase smartphone costs this year, with the worst-case scenario being a 6% to 8% rise.
Roh also mentioned that memory shortages are expected to affect other consumer electronics, including home appliances and televisions. Samsung, the world’s largest TV manufacturer, produces a wide range of products like washers, dryers, refrigerators, and ovens, all of which could feel the impact.
Despite these challenges, Roh shared Samsung’s plan to more than double sales of mobile devices with AI features, targeting over 800 million units. He emphasized the company’s fast push for AI integration, saying, “We will apply AI to all products, all functions, and all services as quickly as possible.”
While it is not fully clear which devices he meant, they likely include Samsung smartphones and tablets that come with Google’s Gemini AI platform and Galaxy AI. Other products, such as smartwatches and the new Galaxy XR headset, also feature Gemini.
The Galaxy S26 launch event is expected to take place in late February in San Francisco, where more details about the device will be shared.
