Galaxy S26 upgrades had been killed for a worth hike that also occurred

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 collection was anticipated to ship on a number of key upgrades that had been lengthy overdue, however that every one went out the window final 12 months when Samsung apparently determined to go all-in on avoiding a worth hike. Regardless of killing these upgrades, although, leaks recommend that the worth goes up anyway.

For the previous few years, Samsung’s Galaxy S collection has felt comparatively static. A design tweak right here, a brand new spec there, however the evolution from Galaxy S22 to the Galaxy S25 feels fairly uneventful, as proven by the Extremely telephones particularly.

It was anticipated that, lastly, the Galaxy S26 collection can be totally different.

Early leaks of Samsung’s new telephones first hit the net within the late Summer time months of 2025, revealing that Samsung would ditch the middle-child Plus system and as a substitute put money into its thinner “Edge,” whereas additionally bringing some wanted upgrades to a compact “Professional” and in addition bettering on the Galaxy S26 Extremely too. There have been rumblings of Qi2 assist, upgraded cameras, and much more. Right here’s a fast checklist of upgrades Samsung supposedly had deliberate at one level or one other:

Commercial – scroll for extra content material

Whereas there are nonetheless some upgrades – the Galaxy S26 Extremely is thinner, wi-fi charging may be quicker – so much of what was deliberate appears to have gone out the window.

The explanation for that, reviews have claimed, is that Samsung noticed Apple launch the iPhone 17 collection with no worth hike, and instantly turned its objective to cost-cutting for the sake of matching that. It was reported in November that Samsung had scrapped its authentic plans following Apple’s announcement, and all the things we’ve heard within the months since traces up with that, together with a rushed Galaxy S26+ and an total lineup that appears just about unchanged from what got here earlier than.

Among the solely notable adjustments embody:

It’s hardly the foremost improve we had been all hoping for.

However no less than it stored the worth in test, proper?

Improper, say the most recent leaks. Galaxy S26 collection worth leaks have been a bit far and wide, with a January rumor suggesting the Galaxy S26 would now begin at €1,049 and the Galaxy S26 Extremely at €1,399 in Sweden. That’d be a rise of €100 for the bottom Galaxy S26. Dealabs more recently reports that the Galaxy S26 collection will see some minor worth bumps in France, lower than that of what the earlier rumor instructed, with the bottom Galaxy S26 rising by €40 over the 256GB Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S26+ leaping up by €100, and the bottom Galaxy S26 Extremely (256GB) being unchanged, whereas all increased storage tiers would rise by round €100 in comparison with the final era throughout the board.

It’s arduous to say how these costs would possibly translate to different areas, however given the observe document of the leaker right here and the way costs in France are usually mirrored in different markets, it’s secure to say that a whole lot of Galaxy S26 patrons might be taking a look at a worth hike of some type – it’s additionally not the primary time we’ve heard this. And, whereas none of them are main, it’s a tricky tablet to swallow contemplating there’s just about nothing to point out for that increased price ticket.

As our Will Sattelberg defined, shopping for a brand new cellphone in 2026 goes to suck.

After all, a whole lot of this comes all the way down to the continued volatility of the tech business as a complete, particularly with reference to reminiscence, however that doesn’t actually take away the sting right here. It’s fairly apparent that Samsung had massive plans and, whereas protecting its costs in test is a noble objective, the tip outcome right here simply looks like a lose-lose state of affairs.

What do you assume?

Extra on Galaxy S26:

Observe Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram