Despite earlier rumors of delay, Samsung is pushing forward with a January launch for the Galaxy S26 series, officially dropping the Edge model in favor of the revived S26 Plus.
Galaxy S26 Timeline Accelerates After Uncertainty
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S26 series was initially rumored to face a four-week delay, but a new report from Korea’s Chosun confirms that the launch is on schedule—or even arriving a bit earlier.
- Launch date now expected: Late January 2026
- First public sale: Early February 2026
Samsung appears to have resolved internal hardware verification challenges that arose after the removal of the Edge model and the re-introduction of the Plus variant.
“The removal of the Edge and addition of the Plus model lengthened the hardware verification period… but this issue was resolved, making the February launch next year possible,” said a source familiar with the matter.
Why the Lineup Changed: Edge Out, Plus Back In
Samsung originally planned to phase out the Plus model and continue with the S25 Edge, a thinner, more design-focused variant. But market performance told a different story.
- Galaxy S25 Plus sold 5.05 million units in just three months.
- Galaxy S25 Edge sold only 1.31 million units—a 74% drop in comparison.
This sales gap forced Samsung to cancel the S26 Edge and rebuild the S26 Plus, which delayed internal hardware validation but ultimately preserved the company’s revenue strategy.
Now, with those issues behind them, Samsung is ready to bring the Galaxy S26 series to market without compromise.
What to Expect from the Galaxy S26 Series
With the Edge out of the picture, Samsung is focusing on three core models for its 2026 flagship lineup:
- Galaxy S26 – A sleeker design, 6.9mm thin, with better battery life and Qi2 magnetic charging.
- Galaxy S26 Plus – Reintroduced due to high demand, now thinner but retaining a large screen and premium specs.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra – The flagship powerhouse, boasting a periscope camera, improved sensor layout, and a large battery.
This new structure simplifies Samsung’s portfolio while ensuring each model has a clear market fit.
A Tighter Schedule, Global Reach
According to the earlier timeline, the launch was expected to happen on February 25, 2026, followed by a two-week pre-order window and a March retail release. The new report moves everything forward by three to four weeks.
- If the current plan holds, Samsung could launch the devices in the last week of January.
- Pre-orders may begin immediately, with global availability in early February across dozens of markets.
This launch schedule gives Samsung a head start in 2026, potentially beating rivals to market in the premium Android space.
