Samsung Galaxy S26 Lineup Might Not Be Expensive After All, Says Korean Report

By Shikhar Mehrotra • Updated On Jan 3, 2026

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TL; DR

This is excellent news for buyers, especially since Samsung has two major smartphone lineups this year: the Galaxy S26 series (first quarter) and the Galaxy Z Fold 8/Flip 8 (third quarter).
Following its announcement in February 2026, the Galaxy S26 series could go on sale in March 2026.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8/Flip 8 could follow the usual launch timeline, with a July 2026 debut and August 2026 availability.

Samsung is taking a more cautious, consumer-friendly approach to its 2026 flagship strategy. Amid rising component costs and growing concerns about memory pricing, a new report from the company’s home market now claims that Samsung may absorb higher costs rather than pass them on to end consumers.

Also Read: Upcoming Smartphone Launches In January 2026: Redmi Note 15, Realme 16 Pro, Galaxy S26, and More

Samsung May Prioritize Market Share Over Margins In 2026

A recent report from Korea suggests that Samsung may absorb higher component costs for its major flagships scheduled for release this year.

This is excellent news for buyers, especially since Samsung has two major smartphone lineups this year: the Galaxy S26 series (first quarter) and the Galaxy Z Fold 8/Flip 8 (third quarter). The report states that the company wants to protect its market share, which might decline if it increases prices.

For now, Samsung intends to adopt the “high volume, relatively low profit” strategy. The report also states that Samsung will reveal the Galaxy S26 lineup on February 25, 2026. Until now, we’ve had reports mentioning the timeline for Samsung’s first Galaxy Unpacked launch event, but this report finally sets a date.

Also Read: We’ve Reviewed 150+ Smartphones in 2025, and These Are Our Top Picks

However, it corroborates the reports about a delay in the launch event.

There are plenty of reasons why Samsung might have delayed the event, including ongoing supply-chain constraints, the potential memory crisis that has already hit the smartphone industry, and last-minute hardware or software optimizations (including equipping the non-Ultra variants with its in-house Exynos 2600).

Following its announcement in February 2026, the Galaxy S26 series could go on sale in March 2026. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8/Flip 8 could follow the usual launch timeline, with a July 2026 debut and August 2026 availability. Moreover, this is good news overall, from both the brand’s and the customers’ perspectives.

Also Read: iOS 26.2 Adds New CarPlay Features: More Expansive Widget Stack & A Toggle For Disabling Pinned Messages

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Shikhar Mehrotra

Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

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