Samsung Might Revive the Galaxy S26+ After Edge Misfire

For months, rumors swirled that Samsung would quietly retire the Plus variant of its flagship lineup, leaving only the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Pro, and Edge on the market. Yet a surprising turn of events from Korea now suggests the Galaxy S26+ may still make its way to store shelves, driven not by innovation but by poor sales performance of the Galaxy S25 Edge.

The Edge, marketed as a sleek alternative focused on slimness and design, has failed to capture buyers’ attention.

Reports indicate that production of the S25 Edge has plummeted since June, a troubling sign for a model that launched only a month earlier. Typically, smartphone sales peak in the first three months of release, but the Edge bucked that trend, leaving Samsung with a headache and warehouses stacked with unsold inventory. In some regions, carriers have even bundled the Edge into promotional giveaways just to move units.

By contrast, the Galaxy S25+ quietly outsold the Edge, despite being an older model. That left Samsung in a strange position: replace the Plus with a product customers don’t want, or swallow pride and bring the Plus back. According to industry sources, Samsung has chosen the latter, restarting development on the S26+ to avoid repeating the same misstep. Analysts say this move reflects a lesson the company has long struggled to absorb – consumers prioritize performance, battery life, and camera quality over ultra-thin builds that look good on paper but compromise everyday use.

Critics argue that Samsung misread the market. In 2011, thinness defined success with devices like the Galaxy S2, but in 2025, people care less about millimeters and more about endurance. A slim frame paired with smaller batteries and downgraded cameras simply doesn’t excite buyers anymore, particularly when Apple has doubled down on larger batteries and premium Pro models that deliver both profit margins and consumer loyalty. Some even suggest Samsung should have rebranded the Edge as a cheaper “Slim Edition” or “FE” variant rather than trying to replace a popular Plus line.

As Samsung weighs its options, pricing remains the elephant in the room. Previous Plus models sat around $999, while the Edge launched closer to $1,199 – ironically, more expensive despite its compromises. The S26 Pro is tipped to arrive at $999, the Ultra at $1,399, leaving the company with a tricky puzzle: can the S26+ find a slot that makes financial sense without cannibalizing its premium siblings? If Samsung repeats old mistakes, it risks not only disappointing loyal fans but also further eroding its flagship strategy in a market where rivals are capitalizing on consistency and clarity.

For now, one thing is clear: the Plus is not dead yet. Whether Samsung can make the S26+ compelling enough to justify its revival, however, remains a question only the market can answer.