We’re getting new leaks and rumors about the Samsung Galaxy S23 almost every day at this point, and today’s pricing is around it, with indications that you’ll have to pay a bit more to get your hands on this year’s flagship phones.
According to Twitter insider @OreXda (opens in a new tab) (via notebook check (opens in a new tab)), in South Korea we are looking at prices of 1,199,000 won for the standard model, 1,397,000 won for the Plus edition, and 1,599,400 won for the high-end Ultra version of the Galaxy S23.
For context, in the same country, the Samsung Galaxy S22 cost 999,900 won, the Galaxy S22 Plus cost 1,199,000 won, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra went on sale for 1,452,000 won. We are looking at a price jump of around 10-20% if those numbers are correct.
price hike
At today’s exchange rates, the equivalent price for the standard Galaxy S23 is around $955 / £790 / AU$1,390, while the Galaxy S22 started at $799 / £769 / AU$1,249. Due to currency and market fluctuations, we would not pay close attention to those equivalent values, except as rough guides.
There has been some talk that the Galaxy S23 phones would cost more than their Galaxy S22 equivalents, which supports this rumor. Manufacturers are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, while inflation continues to drive up prices globally.
With those and other factors in mind, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Galaxy S23 phones command a higher starting price than the 2022 phones they’re replacing. It’s a trend we may see throughout the rest of the year as well, as mobile phone manufacturers grapple with rising costs across the industry.
Analysis: the flagship cost
As our list of the best cheap phones shows, there are plenty of deals out there when it comes to smartphones. That being said, it seems that the price of high-end flagship phones is only going in one direction for the foreseeable future: up.
Of course, there are all sorts of economic factors that influence the price of the smartphones in our pockets, but right now none of them are likely to drive down costs. The iPhone 14 Pro, for example, started at a slightly higher price than the iPhone 13 Pro for those outside of the US.
Perhaps it’s in the mid-range that you’ll get the best value in 2023. Phones that don’t have the latest processors and camera sensors, but still have a decent level of polish and performance. The next standout phone in this particular part of the market could very well be the Google Pixel 7a.
While premium phones will still be available to those who want the best components and have the budget to get them, the Galaxy S23 could set the tone in terms of price increases in the coming months. We will know for sure on February 1st.
