The upcoming flagship smartphones from Apple and Samsung are drawing attention not only for their new features but also for their steep price tags. Readers who are thinking about upgrading should know how these costs compare to previous models and what hardware changes are actually promised.

Leaks say the iPhone 18 could launch at $999, which is $100 more than the iPhone 17 now costs $899. Apple raised the iPhone 17 price by $100 in September 2026.

Similar rumors suggest the Galaxy S27 will also start at $999, putting it $100 above the Galaxy S26’s original $899 launch price. Samsung previously raised the Galaxy S26 price by $100.

Leaks indicate the iPhone 18’s upgrades are limited to an A20 2nm processor and a slightly larger battery. For the Galaxy S27, leaks point to a Sony‑made main camera and possibly an Exynos 2700 processor, but overall improvements are modest.

With both phones potentially reaching the $1,000 mark, consumers will need to weigh the benefit of these incremental upgrades against the higher price. Deciding whether to upgrade now or wait for a larger leap in performance will depend on how much extra you are willing to spend.