Samsung is reportedly planning to drop the "Plus" model from its upcoming Galaxy S26 flagship series. If it is indeed true, this move would end the run of the Plus variant, which has been a part of Samsung's S lineup for nearly a decade.
According to Korean publication The Elec, the company's 2026 flagship lineup is expected to include only three devices, namely, the standard Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26 Edge and the top-end Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The decision reportedly comes after years of sales data suggesting that the Plus model is struggling to carve out its identity in the segment. The phone is often overshadowed by the more affordable and compact base model and the premium Ultra.
This year, we saw Samsung revive its "Edge" branding with the Galaxy S25 Edge. The phone was instantly the talk of the town due to its 6.4mm thickness. Well, it seems like Samsung decided to keep it and replace the Plus for its next flagship lineup.
The upcoming S26 Edge could sport a 6.6-inch display, which will be slightly larger than the standard S26's 6.2-inch display and the Ultra's 6.9-inch screen.
By repositioning the lineup, Samsung seems to be aiming for a clearer differentiation between the models. For compact lovers, there will be the S26; for those looking to get a slim design-focused device, there will be the S26 Edge and those wanting a fully loaded flagship, there will be the S26 Ultra.
Beyond the shake-up in the naming, the upcoming Galaxy S26 is expected to pack a longer-lasting battery. Moreover, the Galaxy S26 series is said to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset.
Besides, a pretty recent leak has also suggested that Samsung is planning a CoE (Colour Filter of Encapsulation) OLED panel on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, making the display not just brighter but also more power efficient. So, we could see the Galaxy S26 lineup flaunting these new panels.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch early next year. So, expect to see more details surface in the coming days and months leading up to the launch.
