Samsung raises prices on watches, phones and memory modules amid AI chip shortage

Samsung Electronics is increasing prices across several consumer‑device lines as a global shortage of AI‑focused memory chips drives up component costs. Leaked European prices show the Galaxy Watch 9 lineup rising by €30‑€50, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 expected to cost about €749. In South Korea, retail prices for 16 GB DDR4 memory modules that use Samsung chips jumped 19% in a month, while DDR5 modules rose around 10%. The company’s upcoming foldable smartphones are also set to cost more: the entry‑level Galaxy Z Flip 8 is projected to be about 13% higher than the previous model, and the 1‑TB Fold 8 Ultra variant is listed at €2,799, a €280 increase. In India, Samsung’s budget Galaxy A and F series phones have all been raised by roughly ₹1,000 per configuration. Samsung attributes the price pressure to massive demand from AI data‑center builders, which has tightened supply of DRAM and NAND flash chips. The higher component costs boost Samsung’s semiconductor division earnings but are eroding margins in its mobile handset segment.