Galaxy S26 Series Pricing Leaked — Ultra Model Set to Be Cheaper Than Expected

As anticipation builds for Samsung's next flagship launch, fresh pricing leaks for the Galaxy S26 series have emerged, offering one of the first concrete peeks at what buyers might expect to pay.

According to a new leak focused on EU pricing specifically in Sweden, the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra could see notable shifts compared with last year's Galaxy S25 lineup. Early indications suggest that while some models may carry higher prices than their predecessors, Samsung might be positioning the top-end Ultra variant more attractively.

Tipster Roland Quandt, who has a strong track record with Samsung leaks, shared what are described as official pricing figures for the Swedish market.

Given that Sweden uses its own currency and has a higher value-added tax (VAT) than many European countries, the figures aren't directly comparable to those in EU markets or the United States, but they provide a useful benchmark. What's surprising is that the Ultra, often the most expensive model in the lineup, could actually be cheaper than expected.

Galaxy S26: Bigger Base Storage, Bigger Price Tag

The leaked figures also shed light on Samsung's storage pricing strategy. The base Galaxy S26 is said to start with 256GB of storage, a boost over the 128GB base of the Galaxy S25, but that jump comes with a price premium.

It remains to be seen how Samsung will position this in markets outside the EU, but early rumours suggest a mixed pricing story that could still appeal to a wide range of buyers.

According to the leaked data from Quandt (as reported by GSMArena), the standard Galaxy S26 could be significantly more expensive than its predecessor, mainly because Samsung has upgraded the base storage from 128GB to 256GB.

In Sweden, the Galaxy S26 is reportedly priced about €200 higher than the base Galaxy S25 with 128GB storage, roughly $216 (£174) more, based on typical currency conversions. This aligns with ongoing industry trends in which manufacturers are pushing for higher baseline storage to meet growing consumer demand for space.

While the increase might be off-putting for some, Samsung appears to be standardising 256GB as the entry-level option across its new range.

The tipster also notes that moving up to 512GB storage on the Galaxy S26 will be more expensive than on previous models, continuing a pattern seen across the smartphone market where larger storage tiers command increasingly steep premiums.

For buyers in Sweden, where tech prices tend to run higher due to the local tax regime, these increases might seem particularly pronounced. It's worth remembering that actual retail prices in other EU countries and the US could vary, sometimes significantly, once local taxes, import duties and carrier subsidies are factored in.

Galaxy S26+ Holds Steady; Ultra Surprises With Lower Price

In contrast to the base model's apparent price rise, the Galaxy S26+ may offer more familiar territory for buyers. The leaked figures suggest that the Galaxy S26+ with 256GB storage could be priced on par with the Galaxy S25+ in the same configuration.

That could make the Plus model a compelling choice for consumers balancing features and cost.

The biggest surprise, however, comes from the leaked pricing for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to the tipster, the base Galaxy S26 Ultra may be around €100 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, roughly $108 (£87) cheaper. That's a notable shift in strategy for Samsung, which has historically pushed the Ultra model as the premium, premium-priced option in its flagship portfolio.

Even more intriguing is the claim that the 512GB variant of the S26 Ultra will undercut the equivalent model from last year. The top-end 1TB version, by contrast, may retain similar pricing to the S25 Ultra's highest configuration.

If accurate, this could be a move by Samsung to drive uptake of its Ultra model by offering more competitive pricing at the base and mid-tier storage levels.

No Free Storage Upgrades on Pre-Orders

Another detail from the leak concerns Samsung's pre-order incentives. Reports suggest the company will not offer free storage upgrades for customers who pre-order any model in the Galaxy S26 series.

In recent years, Samsung and other manufacturers have used pre-order bonuses to entice early buyers. The absence of such deals could make pricing even more important in consumers' decision-making.

Samsung may still offer a range of additional pre-order perks, such as trade-in credits or bundled accessories, but for now, the leaked information points to a straightforward pricing approach without built-in storage upgrades.

Taken together, these leaks paint a nuanced picture of Samsung's pricing strategy for the Galaxy S26 series. The base model's price increase might disappoint some, but the positioning of the Plus and Ultra models.

As with leaks, it's important to wait for official confirmation, but this early information gives prospective buyers plenty to think about ahead of launch.