If you’ve followed Samsung’s release patterns over the years, you know the “Plus” model has always been that awkward middle sibling — not quite Ultra, not quite entry-level. And based on some credible leaks, Samsung may finally be ready to swap it out with something slimmer, sleeker, and hopefully more exciting: the Galaxy S26 Edge.
Insiders say the company has already kicked off early development on its 2026 flagship lineup under the codename NPA. The roadmap? Three phones: the Galaxy S26, the high-end S26 Ultra, and this new S26 Edge, which could officially replace the underperforming Plus model.
This isn’t some random rumor either. It comes shortly after Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge — its thinnest phone to date, built with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 and clearly aimed at buyers who want something premium but more pocket-friendly.
And here’s where the numbers speak louder than branding: Samsung is expected to ship about 37.7 million Galaxy S25 phones next year. But while the Ultra is dominating (17.4M) and the standard S25 holds steady at 13.6M, the S25 Plus trails way behind at just 6.7M. That kind of gap makes the decision to retire the Plus model a lot more understandable.
Interestingly, Apple is rumored to be doing something similar with its 2026 iPhone refresh — reportedly preparing to replace the iPhone Plus with a thinner model dubbed the iPhone 17 Air. Seems like slim is back in style.
Now, Samsung hasn’t locked in the final S26 lineup yet. Much depends on how the S25 Edge performs in the market. If buyers like the sleek form factor, the Edge branding could stick around. But if it flops? Samsung might quietly revive the Plus model and move on.
Meanwhile, word from the supply chain hints that Samsung is working on multiple OLED panel types for the S26 series, giving them flexibility depending on how things play out.
The bigger picture here? Users are gravitating toward either the entry-level S models or going all-in with the Ultra. That leaves the middle-tier models — like the Plus — in a weird spot. Ultra phones now reportedly account for 40%+ of S series sales, which says a lot about what people value today.
As of May 2025, sources from Korea’s supply chain and internal Samsung documents point toward the S26 Edge leading the company’s next big shift — possibly replacing the Plus model as early as next year.
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