[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] SamsungElectronics(005930)has raised the domestic manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Galaxy S26 series by up to 276,100 won just seven months after its launch. As memory semiconductor prices have skyrocketed due to the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, the cost burden of smartphone manufacturing is being passed on to consumers through higher retail prices.

According to SamsungElectronics on the 1st, the domestic manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the Galaxy S26 series were raised across the board starting that day.

The Galaxy S26 256GB has risen by 149,600 won, from 1,254,000 won to 1,403,600 won. The Plus 256GB model also rose by 149,600 won, from 1,452,000 won to 1,601,600 won, while the Ultra 256GB model increased by the same amount, from 1,797,400 won to 1,947,000 won.

The 512GB model also saw a price increase of 149,600 won across all variants—Standard, Plus, and Ultra. The Ultra 1TB model, which saw the largest price increase, jumped by 276,100 won, rising from 2,545,400 won to 2,821,500 won. This price adjustment comes approximately seven months after the device’s domestic launch on March 11.

The rise in smartphone prices is driven by the so-called “chipflation.” As investment in AI data centers increases, demand for memory—such as HBM and server DRAM—is surging. With supply failing to keep up with demand, prices for mobile and PC memory are also rising.

According to market research firm TrendForce, the average selling price (ASP) of mobile DRAM for smartphones in the second quarter of this year is estimated to have risen by 70–75% for LPDDR4X and 78–83% for LPDDR5X compared to the previous quarter. Prices are projected to rise an additional 8–13% in the third quarter compared to the second quarter.

As cost pressures mount, smartphone manufacturers are adjusting not only the prices of new products but also those of models already on the market.

SamsungElectronics raised the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for some Galaxy models back in April. The price of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (512GB) increased by 94,600 won, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (1TB) by 193,600 won. The price of the Galaxy S25 Edge (512GB) also rose by 110,000 won.

Apple also adjusted the prices of its existing iPhone models last month. The iPhone 17 256GB rose from 1,287,000 won to 1,450,000 won, while the iPhone Air 256GB increased from 1,590,000 won to 1,790,000 won.

Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, stated, “As memory has emerged as a key variable in smartphone bill of materials (BoM) costs, the pricing structure across the industry is being reshaped,” adding, “Manufacturers now have little room left to absorb these costs.”