Samsung Raises Galaxy S25 Prices in India by INR 12,000 as Memory Costs Surge

Q: Why is Samsung's older Galaxy S25 suddenly more expensive than the newer S26 model in India?

Samsung’s older Galaxy S25 has become more expensive than some Galaxy S26 variants in India because Samsung has raised S25 prices mid-cycle to pass on sharply higher memory costs, while the newer S26 is still being supported with launch-era pricing and discounts. The reported increase, based on a leaked retailer notice, applies mainly to the S25’s higher-storage versions. The 12GB/256GB model has reportedly risen to Rs 84,999 from Rs 80,999, while the 12GB/512GB version has jumped to Rs 1,03,999 from Rs 92,999. The 128GB model is said to be unchanged at Rs 74,999. That matters because memory is the component under the most pressure, and higher-storage phones are hit hardest. The broader reason is the global shortage and rising price of DRAM and NAND memory, driven by strong AI data-center demand. Samsung itself has said memory supply is likely to remain tight through at least 2028, and industry reports show smartphone brands across India have been raising prices for the same reason. Analysts have also pointed to rupee weakness and higher bill-of-materials costs adding to the pressure. So the S25 is not suddenly “better value” than the S26; it is a pricing distortion caused by component inflation and Samsung’s staggered pricing strategy. In practice, the newer S26 can still be cheaper because Samsung and retailers are using promotions, exchange offers and limited-time discounts on the current-generation model, while the older S25 is being repriced upward after launch.

3 articles · Updated · SamMobile - Samsung news · Aug 19

Samsung lifted Galaxy S25 prices in India by INR 4,000 to INR 12,000, with the new rates taking effect on August 19, according to a leaked retailer notice.
Rising memory chip costs drove the increase, extending a broader pattern of Samsung raising smartphone and tablet prices as component prices climb.
The move hits one of Samsung's previous-year flagship phones, showing that chip-cost pressure is still feeding through to retail pricing in India.