Seoul
Samsung Electronics has executed a bold redesign of its forthcoming Galaxy S26 flagship series, scrapping the anticipated slim Galaxy S26 Edge due to tepid sales of previous thin-profile devices like the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air, while resurrecting the Galaxy S26 Plus and simplifying the base model to plain Galaxy S26.
Firmware leaks and industry filings reveal a streamlined trio: the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, potentially launching late January 2026. The shift signals Samsung’s retreat from the “thin phone” fad pioneered by its original Edge line, opting for balanced ergonomics—the S26 at 7.24mm thick and S26 Plus at 7.35mm.
Camera upgrades unify the base and Plus models with a 50MP main (ISOCELL S5KGNG), a refreshed 12MP telephoto (S5K3LD, up from 10MP), and retained 12MP ultrawide (Sony IMX564), plus a 12MP front shooter (S5K3LU). This standardization avoids “low-res” stigma but skips a rumored 50MP ultrawide leap. Video prowess shines with Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec support for 4K 60FPS front/rear recording.
Powering global units is the Exynos 2600 SoC (S5E9965), with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for US variants, paired with hefty batteries: 4,300mAh for S26 and 4,900mAh for Plus.
The S26 Ultra refines with a flat 163.4 x 77.9 x 7.9mm frame, 24MP default shots (via Camera Assistant app), a focus speed slider, and HDR toggles. Its 12MP 3x telephoto upgrades from 10MP, with wider apertures on main/periscope lenses. Battery stays at 5,000mAh with 60W charging, and it’s Snapdragon-exclusive worldwide for uniform performance.
Analysts view this as Samsung doubling down on reliability over gimmicks, amid fierce rivalry with Apple. “It’s a pragmatic evolution, prioritizing user demands like detail-rich photos,” said tech forecaster Ming-Chi Kuo. As leaks mount, excitement builds for Samsung’s AI-infused ecosystem push.