For years, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S lineup has consistently arrived in a familiar trio. Fans of the series have been able to choose between a standard model, a Plus version, and the top-tier Ultra. That said, new leaks suggest that the upcoming Galaxy S26 series could dramatically redefine this tradition. Samsung could make the biggest shake-up for the S line in half a decade, including a Galaxy S26 Pro.
The Android Authority team found evidence of potential upcoming changes. The clues were present in an internal build of Samsung’s One UI 8. According to the report, the Galaxy S26 family might abandon its traditional structure entirely. Instead of a standard Galaxy S26 and a Plus variant, we could see a new trio consisting of the Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Galaxy S26 Pro, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra could be Samsung’s next flagship phones
This revelation comes from the specific codenames (M1, M2, and M3) found in the software. They are now being linked to the new “Pro” and “Edge” monikers. It’s noteworthy that this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about changes to the Galaxy S26 series. However, previous rumors only spoke of replacing the “Plus” variant with a super-thin Edge.
This potential rebranding is quite a shift. Historically, Samsung’s internal numbering for the S series always started with “1” for the base model. But now, “M1” appears to correspond to a “Pro” variant, suggesting that a traditional “vanilla” S26 might not even exist in this new lineup.
That said, even older reports hinted at potential changes to the base model. However, with no more specific details, this went unnoticed. Now, the latest discovery suggests not only the “extinction” of the S26 Plus but also the vanilla S26.
A strategy to increase prices?
So, what does this all mean for Samsung’s strategy? If these changes hold true, it suggests a strong move towards a more premium-focused approach across the entire series. Enhancing the entry-level model to a “Pro” status could signal an attempt to offer more advanced features right from the start. In fact, we could speculate that the “base” S26 is now more similar to the “Plus.” Of course, this would come hand in hand with a higher entry price point.
The introduction of an “Edge” model to replace the “Plus” also indicates a fresh take on the mid-tier flagship experience.
This pivot could also be Samsung’s way of more closely aligning its flagship offerings with rivals, perhaps mirroring the tiered lineups seen from competitors like Apple. Of course, we’re still waiting for confirmation and more details on specific features for each model. It’s particularly interesting to think about what the new variants will bring. Meanwhile, these leaks start to fuel the hype surrounding the next-gen Galaxy S series.
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