With the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event just around the corner, the tech world is buzzing with anticipation over the upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup. Scheduled for February 25, 2026, this launch is shaping up to be one of Samsung’s most closely watched in years—thanks in part to a slew of leaks, expert commentary, and a dramatic shakeup in the company’s flagship strategy. While much of the attention has focused on the powerhouse Galaxy S26 Ultra, a quieter subplot has been unfolding: the demise of the Galaxy S26 Edge and the surprising resilience of the Plus model.
For years, Samsung’s three-device approach—offering the base, Plus, and Ultra models—has been a hallmark of its Galaxy S series. That formula looked set to change in 2025, when Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge, a daringly slim phone intended to slot between the Plus and Ultra. According to Android Central, the Edge was seen by some as a potential replacement for the Plus, but it quickly became clear that the experiment had fallen flat. The S25 Edge, despite its technical achievements, "didn't quite sell as well as the company hoped," with compromises in battery life, camera count, and charging speed undermining its appeal.
Industry analyst Anshel Sag of Moor Insights & Strategy summed up the sentiment, telling Android Central that the Edge suffered from the same woes as Apple’s iPhone Air: "many sacrifices and a bad perception of battery life." The Edge, thinner and boasting a robust 200MP main camera, ended up with fewer cameras overall, a smaller battery than even the base S25, and slower charging speeds. These trade-offs, combined with a premium price tag, led to disappointing sales. "I think expectations were unrealistic and the marketing did not do them any favors," Sag added, highlighting the challenges of convincing consumers to embrace ultra-thin designs.
By October 16, 2025, the writing was on the wall. An independent source confirmed to Android Central that the Galaxy S26 Edge was "definitely gone, 100% correct." Samsung, it seems, had learned a hard lesson: thinness alone isn’t enough to win over buyers if it comes at the expense of battery life, camera versatility, or value. The Edge’s brief tenure, while ambitious, was ultimately a supply chain experiment—a "pipecleaner for the Fold," as Sag described it—paving the way for more refined foldable devices rather than a new mainstream flagship direction.
So where does this leave the Galaxy S26 lineup? Rather than doubling down on the Edge concept, Samsung has opted to retain the Plus model for 2026, keeping its traditional three-device strategy intact. This move, according to Android Central, is widely viewed as a smart course correction. The Plus has long been the "awkward middle child" of the Galaxy S series, offering upgrades over the base model—like a larger display, bigger battery, and more storage—but often struggling to justify its $200 price premium. Yet, in the wake of the Edge’s missteps, the Plus is suddenly looking more essential than ever.
What’s more, Samsung appears poised to inject some of the Edge’s DNA into the Plus, but without the same costly compromises. Industry watchers speculate that the S26 Plus could feature a thinner profile, potentially leveraging silicon-carbon batteries to maintain or even boost battery capacity while slimming down the chassis. This technology, already demonstrated in rivals like the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air, could allow Samsung to deliver a phone that’s both sleek and long-lasting—a combination that has proven elusive in the ultra-thin segment.
"I think the thinness can be a selling point, especially after I used the iPhone Air. I just think consumers need to be convinced about durability and battery life before they make the jump. I also think camera configurations can't suffer too much," Sag told Android Central. The message is clear: Samsung’s challenge is to balance form and function, learning from the Edge’s mistakes while still pushing the envelope on design.
Meanwhile, excitement is mounting for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is shaping up to be a technological showcase. According to Android Authority, the Ultra may debut with Samsung’s new M14 OLED panel, promising higher peak brightness for improved outdoor visibility and HDR content. An enhanced anti-reflective layer could further boost readability in bright conditions. Under the hood, the Ultra will likely be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, with improved thermal management—possibly via a larger vapor chamber—to keep performance steady during demanding tasks like gaming or AI processing.
Storage is set for an upgrade too, with UFS 4.1 potentially replacing the already speedy UFS 4.0, yielding faster app launches and file transfers. Artificial intelligence will be front and center, as the Ultra may include dedicated AI processing hardware to accelerate features like smart photo editing, live translation, and voice recognition—all while improving battery life.
Photography enthusiasts can also look forward to software-driven camera improvements. While the hardware may not change dramatically, enhanced image processing could deliver better dynamic range, sharper zoom, and improved stabilization for video. Samsung has a track record of squeezing impressive gains from software alone, so expectations are high for what the S26 Ultra can deliver.
On the style front, the Ultra is rumored to launch in a range of colors, with the possibility of exclusive online-only shades joining the usual palette. This could give buyers more ways to personalize their devices, adding a dash of excitement to the premium flagship experience.
As for the broader S26 lineup, the decision to stick with the Plus—and perhaps imbue it with some Edge-inspired design cues—reflects a pragmatic approach. According to Android Central, the Plus model "still has its place over the Edge in Samsung's lineup," especially if it can adopt innovations that don’t compromise core features. The Edge may be gone, but its influence could live on in sleeker, more capable devices across Samsung’s portfolio.
All eyes are now on February 25, when Samsung will finally lift the curtain on its 2026 flagships. Whether the S26 Ultra’s rumored upgrades pan out, and whether the Plus can finally step out of the shadow of its siblings, remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: in a year when competitors are also raising their game, Samsung’s willingness to learn from failure and double down on user-centric innovation might just make the S26 series the most compelling Galaxy lineup in years.
With the Edge experiment now in the rearview mirror, Samsung is betting that a blend of bold hardware, thoughtful upgrades, and a dash of design inspiration will keep its flagship phones at the top of the Android world.