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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYes—on US list prices for 256GB models, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is currently $100.99 more expensive than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Samsung lists its phone at $1,399.99, while Apple announced the iPhone at $1,299. A shortage of memory chips is the reported reason for Samsung’s price increase, but Samsung has not directly confirmed that explanation in the available reporting.
How the 256GB US prices compare
| Phone | Capacity compared | US price | Price source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | 256GB | $1,399.99 | Samsung US store listing, checked October 2, 2026; the live price can change. Samsung US store |
| Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | 256GB | $1,299 | Apple’s September 9, 2026 announcement. Apple announcement |
| Difference | Like-for-like base capacity | $100.99 | Calculated from the listed prices above, before tax, trade-in credits, carrier offers, or other discounts. |
This is a US comparison of listed prices, not a claim about what every buyer will pay. Samsung lists the S26 Ultra in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities; Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The cited Apple announcement does not establish current prices for every capacity, so the supported comparison here is 256GB against 256GB.
What changed in Samsung’s price
Samsung announced the Galaxy S26 Ultra in February 2026 with a US starting price of $1,299.99. Samsung’s current US store listing for the 256GB model is $1,399.99—$100 more than that launch starting price. The announcement and store page differ by one cent in their displayed starting amounts, so these figures reflect each source as published. Samsung’s February launch announcement and its current store listing.
The launch starting price and today’s listed 256GB price are not interchangeable: one records Samsung’s February announcement, while the other is the store’s current listing as of October 2. Store prices and promotions can change.
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#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Is a chip shortage behind the increase?
Seoul Economic Daily reported on October 1, 2026, that Samsung raised prices in South Korea and the US amid a surge in memory costs, describing the shortage as driven by demand from the AI industry. That makes a memory-chip shortage a reported explanation for the increase, not a causal statement directly confirmed by Samsung in the available material. Seoul Economic Daily’s report.
The report also relayed two figures attributed to research organizations. DRAMeXchange’s average DRAM price was reported at $26 at the end of September 2026, up from $13 in March 2026. Counterpoint Research was cited as estimating that memory made up 43% of premium smartphone production costs in 2026, compared with 27% in March 2026. These are figures as reported by Seoul Economic Daily, not independently verified here against the original organizations’ releases. Seoul Economic Daily.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to ~1750 nits brightness, HDR10+ support, and ultra-smooth responsiveness for gaming and scrolling.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Rank #3
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Rank #2
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
What the price comparison does—and doesn’t—tell you
- It establishes: using the cited US prices, a 256GB Galaxy S26 Ultra costs $100.99 more at list price than a 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- It does not establish: that the Samsung is more expensive in every country, at every storage tier, or after discounts and trade-ins. The report also describes South Korean price changes, but the US dollar comparison should not be applied to other markets.
- For a purchase decision: compare current manufacturer and carrier offers for the exact model and storage you want. Apple’s announcement mentions Apple Trade In and carrier credits, but eligibility and offers vary; a promotional price may not match the list-price comparison. Apple’s announcement and offer details.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
