Buying a new smartphone in 2026 might be a bit more painful for your wallet than in previous years. While we have heard warnings about rising tech prices for months, a recent leak regarding Samsung‘s budget lineup provides the first concrete evidence of how these changes are hitting the market, raising some fears regarding the price of the upcoming Galaxy S26 series.
The Galaxy A07 5G recently launched in Thailand and is now heading to India. According to a retailer leak shared by tech tipster Abhishek Yadav (via SammyGuru), the price jump is quite startling. In India, the base model with 4GB of RAM is expected to retail for approximately $175. Meanwhile, the 6GB version could reach $200. When you compare this to last year’s Galaxy A06 5G, which launched at roughly $125 and $140 for the same configurations. In other words, we are looking at a potential price hike of nearly 40%.
Why the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A07 5G costs 40% more as per price leaks
The most frustrating part for consumers is that this extra cost doesn’t seem to translate into groundbreaking new features. The Galaxy A07 5G retains the same chipset and camera specifications as its predecessor. Aside from a slightly smoother 120Hz screen and a larger battery, the hardware remains largely unchanged.
The main reason for this change seems to be the lack of global RAM supply. Industry analysts have pointed out that budget-friendly devices are the most vulnerable to rising component costs because they operate on very thin profit margins. When the price of memory chips goes up, manufacturers have little choice but to pass that cost directly to the buyer.
Galaxy S26 series to follow?
Naturally, these leaks have caused a bit of anxiety for those waiting for Samsung’s next flagship, the Galaxy S26. If a budget phone is seeing such a steep increase, it is logical to wonder if the premium models will follow suit. Flagships generally have more “breathing room” in their profit margins to absorb some of these costs. However, they are certainly not immune to market fluctuations.
That said, there is a silver lining for buyers in some places. While regions like India and Thailand are seeing immediate hikes, rumors suggest that Samsung might take a different approach in the United States. To remain competitive in the American market in the face of the “iPhone threat,” the company may choose to freeze prices for the Galaxy S26 series. Even if manufacturing costs rise globally, Samsung might opt to absorb the difference in the U.S. Some rumors also suggest the removal of pre-order bonuses to keep a relatively competitive starting price.
Whether you are looking for an affordable daily driver or the latest high-end tech, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of strategic shopping. If you are outside the U.S., preparing for a higher price tag seems wise. If you are in the States, you might be spared the hike, but you should keep a close eye on those official announcements as we head into the fall.
The post Samsung Budget Phone Sees Massive Price Jump Due to RAM Crisis, Galaxy S26 Next? appeared first on Android Headlines.
