Samsung Reverses Course, Galaxy S26 Plus Is Back After Galaxy S25 Edge Failure
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| Concept render of Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus with a large display and redesigned camera module. |
Samsung has reportedly decided to revive the Galaxy S26 Plus, a model that was initially canceled from its 2026 flagship lineup. The move comes after Galaxy S25 Edge sales fell far below expectations. The news was first leaked by well-known tipster Ice Universe, who claimed that Samsung “fell into Apple’s trap” and was now scrambling to fix its product strategy.
According to Android Police, Samsung had originally planned to replace the “Plus” variant with the new “Edge” model to simplify its Galaxy S25 lineup. However, that strategy backfired. Between September and December 2025, Samsung is expected to produce only 300,000 units of the S25 Edge — a sharp drop compared to the 500,000 S25 Plus units produced during the same period the year before. For comparison, S25 Ultra production is estimated at 3.4 million units, while the base S25 model will reach 2.9 million units.
Ice Universe didn’t hold back in criticizing Samsung’s decision-making. “Samsung is now just a speculator following Apple’s every move without any independent vision. Apple lured them into a trap, and now they’re forced to change plans in a rush. It’s ridiculous,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The comment quickly went viral among tech enthusiasts, many of whom agreed that Samsung had lost some of its identity in the high-end smartphone race.
If current plans remain unchanged, the Galaxy S26 series will feature four models: S26, S26 Edge, S26 Ultra, and S26 Plus. Sources familiar with the matter say the Plus model is now in rapid development to ensure it’s ready for launch in early 2026, likely between January and February. This means Samsung’s engineering teams are racing against time to finalize the design and features before the official unveiling.
The return of the Plus variant could help Samsung strengthen its position in the upper-mid flagship segment — appealing to users who want a large display and powerful specs without paying Ultra-level prices. However, analysts warn that rushing development might lead to compromises in areas like battery life optimization and thermal performance.
Still, fans are excited to see whether the Galaxy S26 Plus can revive the popularity once enjoyed by older Plus models like the Galaxy S21+ and S22+. Samsung has yet to issue an official statement, but the next Galaxy Unpacked event — expected in early 2026 — will likely confirm these details.
If this strategy works, 2026 could mark a turning point for Samsung as it tries to reclaim its image as an innovation leader in the premium smartphone market. The S25 Edge flop may serve as a reminder that removing a popular model without proper market research can backfire badly.
