Whatever physicist determined that what goes up must come down never had to deal with the ever-ascending prices of smartphones. Lately, it seems that the prices of flagship phones are on an unrelenting upward trajectory, leaving consumers with a hefty bill when it's time to upgrade.

Brace Yourself for the Galaxy S25 Price Surge

Why Samsung might raise prices

Multiple reports from South Korea suggest that Samsung will have to increase the prices of the Galaxy S25 phones. The current political turmoil in the country, including the attempt to impose martial law and the impeachment of the president, has disrupted the exchange rate. Additionally, rising component costs, particularly for the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, are also a contributing factor. Analysts estimate that this chipset will cost 25% to 30% more than its predecessor. These factors combined make it likely that Samsung will have no choice but to adjust its phone prices. Yonhap News reports that all three S25 models could see price increases, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra likely to see a slight rise from its current starting price of 1,698,400 won in Korea.

However, it's important to note that this might only be a Korean phenomenon. Samsung may adopt different pricing strategies in different regions. If the Snapdragon 8 Elite is as expensive as analysts claim, there is a possibility of price hikes in other parts of the world as well.

Galaxy S25 price hikes: Would the new features be worth it?

The expected changes to the Galaxy S25 raise a crucial question: can the new phones justify their higher prices? There is no major change expected in the look or materials of the Galaxy S phones. There is talk of a larger display for the standard S25 model, but phones have been increasing their screen sizes without a corresponding price increase. On the battery front, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to have the same 5,000 mAh battery as its predecessor.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra cameras could see an improvement with a higher-resolution sensor for the ultrawide camera and a variable aperture for the telephoto lens to enhance video zooms. These are welcome improvements, but not enough to make up for the higher price. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and the potential for new Galaxy AI capabilities are the major selling points. After testing the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, we can attest to its power and efficiency. But it remains to be seen if this is enough to justify a $50 to $100 price increase.

Upcoming Galaxy AI improvements are still a mystery as Samsung has not provided any details yet. There is talk of adding intelligence to the Bixby digital assistant to recognize what's on the phone screen and act accordingly. While smarter assistants are a goal, it remains to be seen if they can truly deliver and ease the pain of paying more for a phone. If these features require the advanced neural engine of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, it might convince people that the higher price is worth it.

Galaxy S25 outlook

We are still more than a month away from the rumored Galaxy S25 launch date, giving us time for more leaks to emerge. After raising prices on many major phones in 2024, Samsung needs to be cautious when setting the price for its new handsets. Only time will tell if consumers will be willing to accept the price hikes or if they will protest with a shaken fist instead of a shrug.