Samsung may force Apple to make iPhones more expensive next year

It seems that 2026 isn't going to be a good year for consumer electronics. Components, particularly memory chips, are becoming more expensive by the week. Companies are faced with the tough options of either downgrading some specs, reducing profit margins, or raising prices.

Apple may have to make some hard decisions for its 2026 iPhones. They could end up being more expensive, and Samsung will essentially force Apple's hand here.

Memory chip prices have gone through the roof in the past few months. They're only expected to become more expensive in the coming year. This is forcing companies to find alternatives in a market where not many exist.

Samsung's mobile division isn't immune to these shocks. A recent report claimed that Samsung's own memory division has done away with long-term contracts for the mobile division, opting for quarterly contracts, which would mean better alignment with market prices.

That's why Samsung's mobile boss TM Roh is reportedly going to meet with Micron's CEO early next month to secure ample memory supply for the Galaxy S26 series. Price hikes for next year's flagship lineup aren't off the table.

Samsung and SK Hynix are two of the main memory chip suppliers for Apple's iPhones and other devices. Apple had long-term supply agreements which are set to expire. It's claimed that both Samsung and SK Hynix will increase memory prices for Apple from January 2026.

If Samsung's memory division isn't cutting the company's own mobile division some slack with memory pricing, you can best believe that it's probably not going to give Apple a sweetheart deal. Whether that translates into higher prices for iPhones next year remains to be seen, but it is now a real possibility.