hello. This is Technologytodaynow. A rumor we keep hearing every year with the release of the Galaxy S series is that the Plus model may be discontinued due to poor sales within the series.
However, in reality, Plus models have been released continuously. On the other hand, next year, Apple plans to discontinue the Plus model and release the light and thin iPhone 17 Air model to increase portability. However, claims have been made that the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, scheduled to be released in 2026, will take a different strategy from the iPhone.
Possible Galaxy S26 Series lineup changes
The Galaxy S26 base model may be discontinued.
The Galaxy S26 series, which will be released in 2026, may see the discontinuation of the Galaxy S26 base model, the smallest model in the lineup, according to a report by IT media outlet SamMobile. According to the report, the base model of the Galaxy S25 series will be released in 2025, but in 2026, Samsung Electronics is preparing for a big change in the Galaxy S26 series. This change may lead to the elimination of the base model, and instead, only the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra models will be released.
Looking at Samsung’s recent product lineup, such a change doesn’t seem impossible. With the recent launch of the Galaxy Tab S10 series, the companyonly released the Galaxy TabS10 Plus and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, leaving out the base model. It’s unclear if this is a temporary change or if the base model will be discontinued entirely.
Possible discontinuation of the S26 base model
However, the base models of the Galaxy S series and Galaxy Tab series are in very different situations. While the base models of the Galaxy Tab are likely to be considered for their relatively low sales rate and price/performance ratio, the base models of the Galaxy S series are still very popular. For example, the 11-inch model of the Galaxy Tab is great for portability, but it’s not competitive with other tablets, such as the iPad mini or Chinese-made tablets.
However, in the smartphone market, the basic Galaxy S model does not have a low sales rate and still occupies an important position, and it is difficult to say that the basic model of the Galaxy Tab S10, which consists of only the Plus and Ultra models, has been completely discontinued, It is somewhat questionable whether to give up. In particular, the exclusion of early 6-inch models as main smartphones may be disappointing to many users.
Why the Galaxy S26 base model might be discontinued
If the Galaxy S26 series does not release a base model, the reason may be a lack of differentiation from the Plus model. If the difference between the two models is minimal, the intention may be to emphasize the Plus model to concentrate demand and generate higher profits. Alternatively, if the limited size of the base model makes it difficult to incorporate the latest technology, the intention may be to push more upgrades to the larger Plus model.
Conclusion
It seems unlikely that the Galaxy S26 series will come in only plus and ultra models, but it’s not clear yet whether the base model will be discontinued or not. I think it’s unlikely that this news will actually happen, but since Samsung’s situation isn’t that good these days, we’ll have to take a close look at the direction of the Galaxy S25’s release.