Potential shift in the configuration of Samsung's Galaxy S26 series smartphones is on the horizon.
According to a recent report by Android Authority, Samsung is set to unveil a new lineup for its Galaxy S series in 2026, marking a significant departure from previous models. The upcoming Galaxy S26 series is rumored to consist of three models: the Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Evidence for this lineup rebranding was found in the One UI 8 build, suggesting a major shift in Samsung's flagship lineup strategy. The company is expected to eliminate both the standard base model and the Plus model, replacing them with the "Pro" and "Edge" variants, respectively.
The Galaxy S26 Pro will serve as the new base-level flagship, featuring several upgrades, including a larger approximate 6.3-inch display and possibly a Sony 50MP sensor for the primary camera. The Galaxy S26 Edge appears positioned between the Pro and Ultra models in terms of pricing and features, effectively taking the place of the Plus model in the lineup.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to continue as the top-tier model, rumored to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (also called Snapdragon 8 Elite 2) chipset and support for 60W fast charging.
Samsung is also reportedly testing its Exynos 2600 chip for the Galaxy S26 series, in addition to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. The new lineup is expected to come with One UI 8.5 and Android 16 out of the box.
The design of the Galaxy S26 series is likely to keep its minimal design aesthetic. However, the product codenames in the One UI 8 build suggest that there may not be a base or vanilla variant for the Galaxy S26 series next year.
The Galaxy S26 series is rumored to have premium features in the base model if Samsung uses the "Pro" branding. This could lead to a higher price tag for the series compared to previous models. Samsung's struggles with selling the Galaxy S25 Edge may impact the Galaxy S26 lineup, potentially resulting in a more premium offering.
In summary, Samsung's 2026 Galaxy S series refresh marks a departure from previous models by:
- Killing the standard base model in favor of a Pro model.
- Dropping the Plus model in favor of an Edge model.
- Retaining the Ultra model as the flagship premium device.
The full list of everything known so far about the Galaxy S26 series has been leaked, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming months as the launch approaches.
- Samsung's rebranding of its Galaxy S series in 2026 is leaving behind the standard base model, and instead, introducing the high-end Galaxy S26 Pro, equipped with upgraded features such as a larger display and possibly a Sony 50MP sensor for the primary camera.
- The technology landscape of smartphones is evolving for Samsung, with the company replacing the Plus model with the Galaxy S26 Edge, which will reportedly sit between the Pro and Ultra models in terms of pricing and features, boasting premium attributes that may result in a higher price tag compared to previous models.
