For years now, Samsung has adopted a three-device launch technique for the Galaxy S collection. That features the bottom mannequin, the bigger Plus mannequin, and the premium Extremely. Nonetheless, in 2025, Samsung added a fourth flagship mannequin to the pack with the launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge, a big however slim cellphone that slotted someplace in the course of the S25 household.
It was as soon as rumored that Samsung would exchange the Galaxy S26 Plus with a Galaxy S26 Edge, however it appears like which will now not be the case. If true, and Samsung is retaining the Plus mannequin, I feel this could be a wise transfer. Nonetheless, Samsung wants to present customers a cause to flock to the Plus, and the Edge will be the reply.
The awkward center baby
The Plus mannequin has all the time been the awkward center baby of Samsung’s Galaxy S collection household. At first look, it’s only a bigger model of the bottom mannequin, though a deeper look reveals a much bigger battery, quicker charging speeds, a sharper show, and extra base storage. Nonetheless, regardless of these upgrades, the Plus mannequin has all the time fallen wanting its siblings.
Anshel Sag, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Technique, tells me that the Plus “has all the time carried out the worst in comparison with the bottom and flagship fashions,” noting that even Apple has had the identical downside with its Plus mannequin. And whereas it is unclear why that is, I believe that buyers aren’t as all for paying extra for a cellphone that is roughly the identical, simply in a bigger chassis.
The bottom Galaxy S25 launched at $799, whereas the Galaxy S25 Plus was $999 at launch. That is a $200 leap, and whereas some might imagine it is price it for the bigger show and different upgrades, many clearly do not, particularly when the Extremely mannequin provides a lot extra in roughly the identical measurement.
Nonetheless, I consider the Plus has its place in Samsung’s lineup, particularly with the upgrades Samsung has been giving it in recent times. The Galaxy S25 Plus was one among my favourite telephones final 12 months, to the purpose the place I nonetheless query Samsung’s option to launch an ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge.
The Edge rapidly misplaced its edge
Samsung seemingly rushed to get the Galaxy S25 Edge out earlier than Apple may launch its iPhone Air. But regardless of the spectacular technical feats required to develop the cellphone, it reportedly did not fairly promote in addition to the corporate hoped. In the end, the cellphone got here with too many compromises to realize its skinny profile and never sufficient upgrades to justify the premium price ticket.
The S25 Edge extra carefully resembled the S25 Plus, and whereas it is thinner and has a extra sturdy 200MP major digicam, the Edge has fewer whole cameras, slower charging speeds, and a smaller battery than even the bottom Galaxy S25. But, at launch, the Galaxy S25 Edge price greater than the Plus, regardless that many noticed it as a downgrade.
In line with Sag, this in the end led to the poor gross sales reported since launch. “I feel that the Edge suffered from the identical issues because the Air,” he tells me, highlighting “many sacrifices and a nasty notion of battery life.”
I obtained the knowledge from my unbiased supply: Galaxy S26 Edge is certainly gone, 100% right.October 16, 2025
Due to this, the Galaxy S26 Edge was reportedly canceled, which is not actually a lot of a shock. Except Samsung can work out the way to launch an ultra-thin cellphone with out compromises, the cellphone will likely be useless on arrival, whether or not it launches as a Plus substitute or as a separate system. Sag additionally says that Samsung would wish to “execute and promote it nicely” to repair the notion downside round ultra-thin telephones.
“I feel expectations had been unrealistic and the advertising and marketing didn’t do them any favors,” Sag famous. “I wasn’t personally offered on skinny telephones till I used the Air, after which I obtained it.”
That stated, he would not utterly rely the Edge out if Samsung determined to launch a successor. “However I’d say that if Samsung may construct an Edge and promote it accurately, I feel it may promote very nicely. Similar to Apple’s Air.”
Nonetheless, I feel Samsung wants to stay to its three-device technique for the S-series, whereas giving the Plus extra of an edge, so to talk.
Samsung’s Edge may reside on within the Plus and different telephones
Whereas it is in all probability greatest that Samsung abandon the Edge, I feel the Edge’s DNA ought to proceed to reside on within the Plus. Thus far, I have never been an enormous fan of ultra-thin telephones, however that is merely as a result of a few of the most notable, particularly these from Samsung and Apple, include compromises I am simply not keen to make for the costs corporations are asking.
Nonetheless, Samsung may give its Plus mannequin a lift within the S lineup by studying from the Edge, providing a thinner cellphone however with out the compromises that got here with it. For instance, Samsung has been seemingly hesitant to undertake silicon-carbon batteries. Nonetheless, a future Plus cellphone may doubtlessly supply the identical or extra battery capability in a thinner profile, whereas persevering with to supply a triple digicam system.
Sag agrees that there is nonetheless a spot for a skinny cellphone, as long as Samsung will get it proper.
“I feel the thinness generally is a promoting level, particularly after I used the iPhone Air. I simply suppose customers must be satisfied about sturdiness and battery life earlier than they make the leap. I additionally suppose digicam configurations cannot undergo an excessive amount of.”
In truth, Samsung wants solely take a look at units just like the Honor Magic 8 Professional Air for inspiration. Honor’s cellphone has a 5,500mAh battery, a strong triple digicam system, a flagship MediaTek chipset, and remains to be solely 6.1mm skinny.
That stated, I feel that the Plus nonetheless has its place over the Edge in Samsung’s lineup, and Sag agrees, “particularly because the Edge in some ways was extra of a provide chain pipecleaner for the Fold.” Mainly, the considerably underwhelming Edge was only a precursor to the extra spectacular Galaxy Z Fold 7.
That stated, I am hoping the seemingly failed Edge experiment may encourage change in Samsung’s different merchandise, if not a direct Edge successor. In any case, the Plus is already a big and decently skinny cellphone, and it will be the proper technique to keep on the Edge’s DNA.
