As you should know by now, the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Series has seen an increase in prices. In Malaysia, the starting price is already RM5199, and that's for the base model. Obviously, memory shortage across the globe is to be blamed, and Samsung confirms it.
Memory Shortage Affecting the Smartphone Industry
Samsung’s mobile operations chief, Won-Joon Choi, told The Verge that global shortages of RAM and other materials, combined with tariffs, made a “significant contribution” to the pricing bump. Despite offering double the storage on the base S26 compared with the previous generation, the phone costs roughly $100 more than the comparable Galaxy S25 model did at launch.
The memory market squeeze is affecting more than just phones, with analysts warning of broader price pressure across the tech industry in 2026. Moreover, the surging demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres is diverting supply away from consumer devices.
Industry researchers such as IDC have forecast that 2026 could see the largest decline in global smartphone shipments in more than a decade, with prices continuing to climb. In this environment, higher memory costs are one reason smartphone manufacturers (including Samsung) are making tough choices between protecting profit margins or passing costs on to consumers.
What This Means for Galaxy Buyers
The price increases matter most to customers planning upgrades or new purchases. For buyers in markets such as Malaysia, official pricing reflects these global pressures too, with the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ carrying higher local suggested retail prices compared to the last generation, and promotional bundles aimed at softening the upgrade impact.
Broader Tech Sector Impact
Analysts suggest that the memory crunch will likely remain a defining theme through 2026 and into 2027, affecting not just phones but PCs, IoT devices and other memory-dependent products. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.
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