Some reports suggest the Galaxy S26 will not exist next year

Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy S26 flagship lineup is said to be in for a serious shake-up in its model offerings, one that could indicate a strategic shift towards an even more premium market and an expected price hike. Tech publication Android Authority recently reported on findings that indicate Samsung will drop the conventional “Standard” and “Plus” models, replacing them with an all-new trio: the Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. The suspected revamp may reshape the affordability of Samsung’s flagships, prioritizing high-end functionality and advanced aesthetics over mainstream market appeal, as the company cements its priorities in the upper echelon of smartphone advancement.

The Changing Galaxy S Lineup

Historically, Samsung’s Galaxy S series has adhered to a predictable naming scheme. As an example, the Galaxy S24 series had an internal codename of “Eureka,” where E1, E2, and E3 represented the Standard, Plus, and Ultra models, respectively. The Galaxy S25 series, in the same manner, was referred to as “Paradigm,” with PA1 (S25), PA2 (S25 Plus), and PA3 (S25 Ultra).

But the Galaxy S26 series, which was once said to have the internal codename “Next Paradigm” with NP1 (S26), NP2 (S26 Edge), and NP3 (S26 Ultra), now reflects a changed internal mapping. Android Authority’s examination of One UI 8 code has revealed hints of three models bearing M1 (S26 Pro), M2 (S26 Edge), and M3 (S26 Ultra).

This change in internal codenaming is especially revealing. In past series, the numeric suffix “1” always designated the base standard model. In the newfound code, the number “1” is now aligned with the “Pro” model. There are no “M0” or “M4” codenames in the existing code, which would otherwise indicate that there is a more basic S26 model.

Strategic Implications and Market Positioning

Android Authority sees this rumored lineup shift as a clear signal that Samsung is moving the market position of its Galaxy S series further upmarket, with an even greater focus on the high-end category. By naming the “base” model “Pro” and swapping out the “Plus” variant for “Edge” while keeping the “Ultra” as the flagship option, Samsung seems to be indicating that it’s moving away from more affordable flagship alternatives.

This move strongly implies that price hikes for the Galaxy S26 series are coming, as the brand aims to extract more value from the premium smartphone space. This may have Samsung going head-to-head with other high-end phones with an even more specialized and possibly pricier lineup.

Source: Android Authority