Galaxy S26 series pricing leaked, Ultra gets cheaper

The Galaxy S26 series pricing has leaked, revealing a complex pricing strategy from Samsung that bucks typical flagship phone trends. According to tipster Roland Quandt, the upcoming lineup shows significant variations across different models and configurations.

Starting with the base Galaxy S26, the pricing increase is substantial. The phone will now start with 256GB storage instead of the previous 128GB, and this change comes with a price tag of approximately €200 more than the Galaxy S25's base model. Additionally, upgrading to 512GB storage will cost more than it did for the previous generation, making the mid-tier option less attractive from a value perspective.

Interestingly, the Galaxy S26+ appears to maintain pricing parity with its predecessor when comparing the 256GB configurations. This suggests Samsung is positioning the Plus model as a more straightforward upgrade option without the storage-related price complications seen in the base model.

The most surprising revelation concerns the Galaxy S26 Ultra. In a departure from typical flagship pricing patterns where Ultra models consistently get more expensive, the base 256GB variant of the S26 Ultra could be around €100 cheaper than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The 512GB model is also expected to undercut its predecessor, while the top-end 1TB configuration may retain the same pricing as before.

This pricing strategy for the Ultra model could be particularly significant for Samsung's market positioning. By making the premium Ultra variant more accessible, Samsung may be attempting to capture more of the high-end market share, especially as competition in the flagship segment intensifies.

Another notable change involves pre-order incentives. Unlike previous generations where Samsung often offered free storage upgrades for customers who pre-ordered, the company will reportedly not provide this benefit for the Galaxy S26 series. This change could affect early adoption rates and customer satisfaction during the launch period.

It's important to note that these prices are specific to Sweden and use the local currency with its higher VAT rates. Pricing in other EU markets, as well as the US, could differ significantly due to various factors including local taxes, currency exchange rates, and regional market strategies.

The leaked pricing information comes as anticipation builds for the rumored launch of Samsung's Galaxy S26 lineup. The mixed pricing approach—with increases on some models and decreases on others—suggests Samsung is carefully calibrating its strategy across different market segments and price points.

The storage configuration changes are particularly noteworthy. By standardizing the base model at 256GB instead of 128GB, Samsung is acknowledging the growing storage needs of modern smartphone users. However, the higher prices for upgrades may push some customers toward the Ultra model, especially given its relatively lower price point compared to the previous generation.

These pricing leaks provide valuable insight into Samsung's strategy for the upcoming flagship lineup. The company appears to be balancing multiple objectives: maintaining profitability on base models, remaining competitive in the premium segment with the Ultra, and managing customer expectations around storage configurations and pre-order incentives.

As the launch date approaches, these pricing details will likely influence consumer decisions and market expectations. The combination of higher base prices for the standard models but lower prices for the Ultra variant creates an interesting dynamic that could reshape the competitive landscape in the flagship smartphone market.

For consumers considering the upgrade, these leaks suggest careful consideration of storage needs and budget constraints will be more important than ever. The elimination of free storage upgrades during pre-orders means customers will need to make their configuration choices more deliberately, potentially affecting the overall value proposition of each model in the lineup.

As always with pre-launch leaks, these prices should be considered provisional until Samsung makes official announcements. However, the consistency of this information across multiple sources suggests it may be quite accurate, giving potential buyers valuable information for their purchasing decisions in the coming months.