The Galaxy S27 series won’t launch until early 2027, and the standard iPhone 18 isn’t expected before March, but things are already looking dire for one of the best Android phones in the world. After the controversial Galaxy S27 Ultra design leaks, new Galaxy S27 price leaks make Samsung’s outlook even less reassuring.
According to the leak, the entire S27 lineup will get a price increase. That isn’t a huge surprise, but the size of the hikes is the real concern. It could hurt the appeal of Samsung’s next-generation flagships and hand the iPhone 18 another crucial advantage.
Galaxy S27 Price Hikes: Why Samsung’s Increase Could Hurt More Than Your Wallet
A reputable Korean leaker claims the Galaxy S27 price increase in South Korea could reach 130,000 won, or about $96 at the current exchange rate. That hike is expected to apply to the base-storage models, while the higher-storage versions could see even steeper increases.
The new pricing is said to cover the entire lineup, including the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra. Samsung has just raised the prices of the Galaxy S26 series in the US, so the S27 prices could get seriously expensive.
In the US, the Galaxy S26 Ultra now starts at $1,399 for the 256GB model. The leak only points to price hikes in South Korea so far, but if a similar increase reaches the US, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could start at around $1,499.
Galaxy S27 Price Hikes Could Be Great News for Apple’s iPhone 18
If anyone stands to benefit from the Galaxy S27 price hikes, it’s Apple. The company has already raised the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max compared with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but that only brought it in line with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s price before Samsung’s recent adjustment. Now the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, which is $100 cheaper than Samsung’s top-tier Galaxy S.
The gap is similar for the standard models. The iPhone 17 also got a price hike last month, but it only matched the Galaxy S26’s starting price. Samsung has since raised that price too, so the Galaxy S26 now starts at $999, which makes the iPhone look like a better deal.
That said, unlike Apple, Samsung discounts aggressively in the US, and all three of its flagship models are often available at great prices. The Galaxy S26, for example, is $225 off in our list of this week’s best deals.
However, if the Galaxy S27 Ultra gets another price “adjustment,” Samsung may not be able to offer discounts big enough to close the gap. That would leave its flagship noticeably pricier than the iPhone, its main competitor.
Is the iPhone 18 the Best Smartphone Deal of 2027?
Apple could make the iPhone 18 one of the most attractive phones of 2027 if it launches at the same $899 price the iPhone 17 has now. If the Galaxy S27 gets another price hike and lands at $1,049 or $1,099, it could be game over for Samsung.
However, the ongoing memory price crisis is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, and it will affect Apple too. The company will likely do its best to avoid price hikes, but the iPhone 18 could still launch at a higher price.
Even then, Apple appears to be in a much better position. Samsung has raised prices twice this year and is rumored to raise them again early next year, while Apple has had only one hike in 2026. That means the iPhone 18 could still be cheaper than the Galaxy S27 even if Apple raises prices again in 2027.
For die-hard fans of either brand, none of this will matter. Samsung loyalists will buy the latest Galaxy with the same enthusiasm Apple fans show for the newest iPhone. But for flexible, price-sensitive buyers, the choice could come down to whichever phone is cheaper.
Apple’s 2027 Outlook: Another Strong Year, but Higher iPhone Prices Could Hurt Buyers
If there’s one thing Apple and Samsung fans can agree on, it’s that higher smartphone prices are bad for everyone. Even if Apple keeps iPhone prices lower than the Galaxy S27 and dominates the global market because of it, its phones still won’t be cheap enough for everyone to afford. We’ll likely be paying more for our favorite devices in the coming years, and that’s bad news for all of us.
