Samsung has set MSRPs of $899.99 for the Galaxy S26, $1,099.99 for the S26+, and $1,299.99 for the S26 Ultra, with pre-orders open now and general availability beginning March 11. All models start with 256GB of storage, and Samsung is offering up to $900 in instant trade-in credits to drive upgrade demand.

The S26 series will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chips in key markets, while some regions will use Samsung’s Exynos 2600 processors. This mixed silicon strategy underscores Qualcomm’s continued role as a primary SoC supplier for Samsung’s flagship lineup.

IDC forecasts a 12.9% decline in global smartphone shipments in 2026, offset by a 14% rise in average selling prices driven by increasing memory costs. Samsung’s price hikes will test consumer willingness to pay more in a contracting market environment.

Higher ASPs on flagship devices could boost per-unit chipset revenues for Qualcomm, but overall chip volume may decline alongside weaker handset sales. The S26 launch will serve as a gauge of Qualcomm’s and Samsung’s ability to maintain pricing power under cost pressures.