Samsung’s new flagship lineup ditches the Plus model but introduces battery boosts for Pro and Edge variants
Galaxy S26 Pro and Edge to Replace Base and Plus Models
Samsung is reshaping its Galaxy S-series lineup for 2026, and that means saying goodbye to the base and Plus models. In their place, the Galaxy S26 Pro and S26 Edge will arrive with refined battery capacities, aiming to strike a balance between design and performance.
- The S26 Pro is expected to feature a 4,300mAh battery—up from 4,000mAh in the standard S25.
- The S26 Edge will likely carry a 4,200mAh battery, an upgrade from 3,900mAh in its predecessor.
While these are measurable improvements over the S25 and S25 Edge, they fall short of the Galaxy S25 Plus, which packed a 4,900mAh battery and matched the Ultra in charging speed.
Smaller Batteries Than the S25 Plus—A Step Back?
By removing the S25 Plus—which enjoyed a loyal fanbase for offering top-tier specs in a slightly smaller frame—Samsung may be narrowing its flagship appeal.
- The S25 Plus stood out with 4,900mAh battery and 45W fast charging, making it a power user’s choice without jumping to Ultra-level pricing.
- The new Pro and Edge models have smaller batteries by 600–700mAh, which may disappoint heavy users.
That said, Samsung may compensate with software optimization, chipset efficiency, and faster charging.
Charging Speed Still Unconfirmed—But Ultra May Lead
Samsung has not confirmed the charging speeds for the S26 Pro and Edge. However:
- There are rumors that the S26 Ultra could support up to 60W fast charging, a substantial bump from the 45W in the S25 Ultra.
- If this holds true, Samsung should ideally extend at least 45W support to the Pro and Edge models for parity.
Faster charging could help offset smaller battery capacities, especially for users who need a quick top-up during the day.
Galaxy S25 FE to Launch Early With Android 16 Advantage
In parallel, Samsung is preparing for an early release of the Galaxy S25 FE, a device likely to feature improved hardware and the latest Android 16.
- The S25 FE may outpace the main S25 models in software updates and price-performance ratio.
- It’s being positioned as a value alternative in Samsung’s evolving Galaxy strategy, especially now that the mid-tier Plus model is being discontinued.
Strategy Shift: Streamlined Lineup, Focus on Distinction
Samsung’s decision to eliminate the base and Plus variants appears to be a streamlining move aimed at better market segmentation:
- Galaxy S26 Edge may target design-conscious users wanting a curved display and light form factor.
- Galaxy S26 Pro is being positioned as the new balanced flagship, sitting below the Ultra but above the FE.
- The Ultra remains the peak of Samsung’s tech with maximum performance and camera power.
