The Latest: Prices rise for new Samsung phones

NEW YORK – The Latest on Samsung’s new phones (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Samsung’s new smartphones have another feature: a second annual price increase for some customers.

The phones’ design is largely static compared to last year’s models, despite a nicer camera. But the devices will be more expensive for many.

Last year’s phones cost $100 more than earlier models, and some carriers will sell the Galaxy S9 at even higher prices — about $790 at AT&T, for instance.

The S9 comes out March 16.

Analyst Carolina Milanesi warns that while the camera has great improvements, it’s competing with already good cameras in earlier Samsung phones.

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12:00 p.m.

Samsung unveiled new smartphones with largely unchanged designs and incremental improvements such as a better camera.

Though Samsung already has one of the best smartphone cameras, it is looking to produce even better low-light shots, while offering a video mode that appears to freeze fast-moving objects.

The Galaxy S9 phones were unveiled Sunday in Barcelona, Spain, and will be available March 16. Advance orders begin this Friday.

Analyst Carolina Milanesi warns that while the camera offers great improvements, it’s competing with already good cameras in earlier Samsung phones.