Leaked Galaxy S27 prices make me want an iPhone 18

This is all great news for Apple, probably

If there’s someone who may celebrate the hikes, that’s Apple. The company has already increased the prices of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, in comparison with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but that only made it match the price of the S26 Ultra before Samsung’s recent adjustment. Now, the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, which is a $100 cheaper than the top-tier Galaxy S.

Things don’t look much better for the lower-tier phones. The iPhone 17 also got a price hike last month, but even then it only matched the Galaxy S26’s starting price. Of course, Samsung changed this price as well, so the S26 now starts at $999, making Apple’s phone feel like a great deal.

Of course, unlike Apple, Samsung is quite aggressive with its discounts in the US. All three of its top-tier models are often offered at great prices, like the Galaxy S26, which is $225 off in our list of this week’s best deals.

However, if the Galaxy S27 Ultra comes with another “adjustment,” Samsung may be unable to offer sufficient discounts. This would force it to just accept that its flagship is notably pricier than what its main competitor offers. 

Will the iPhone 18 be the best smartphone deal of 2027?

Apple could turn the iPhone 18 into one of the most attractive new phones on the market if it launches it at the same $899 price as the iPhone 17 costs now. If the Galaxy S27 comes with another price hike, putting it at $1,049 or $1,099, this will be game over for Samsung.

However, the ongoing memory price crisis is unlikely to get resolved anytime soon, which will certainly affect Apple as well. Although the company will certainly continue to do its best to avoid price hikes, the iPhone 18 could also launch at a higher price. 

Even then, Apple appears to be in a much better position right now. Samsung raised prices twice this year, and it’s rumored to raise them once more early next year. Apple only had one hike in 2026, so iPhones could still be cheaper than the leading Galaxies even if there’s another increase in 2027.

For hardcore fans of the either brand, none of this will matter. Samsung fans will buy the leading Galaxy with the same gusto Apple fans will spend on their preferred iPhone. But for the more flexible and price-sensitive buyers, the choice could boil down to the cheaper option.

Apple may have another great year, but it’ll be bad for the customer

If there’s one thing that I’m sure Apple and Samsung fans will agree on, it’s that higher prices are not good for anyone. Even if Apple manages to keep its prices lower and dominates the global market because of it, those won’t be cheap phones that anyone can afford. We’ll be paying more for our favorite devices in the coming years, and that’s bad for everyone.