Samsung s26 family: is the s26+ a repeat of the s25 edge's failure?

Samsung's s26 lineup: a tale of price and potential

The buzz around the Samsung Galaxy S26 family has officially subsided following a rather underwhelming Unpacked event. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra has taken center stage with its Privacy Screen and Galaxy AI enhancements, the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ have been met with a price structure that raises some serious eyebrows. It’s a perplexing situation that begs the question: is Samsung repeating a past mistake?

Price hikes: a puzzling pattern

Looking at the pricing, the Galaxy S26 starts at $899.99 for the 256GB model, while the Galaxy S26+ clocks in at $1,099.99 for the same storage capacity. This represents a significantly larger price jump compared to the Galaxy S25 series. The Galaxy S25 base model started at $799.99, and the S25+ at $999.99. The S26+ is $100 and $180 more expensive than its S25+ counterpart for the exact same storage configurations.

The s25 edge’s shadow

This price disparity echoes the somewhat disappointing reception of the Galaxy S25 Edge last year. The S25 Edge, despite its features, failed to resonate with consumers. Samsung's pricing for the S25 Edge was also somewhat disproportionate, with a significant price increase over the S25. It’s not a perfect parallel, but the similarities are striking.

What went wrong with the s25 edge?

The Galaxy S25 Edge wasn't a complete failure, but it didn’t achieve the sales figures Samsung likely hoped for. Several factors contributed to its underperformance, including its design and marketing. Many speculated Samsung was attempting to replace the S25 Edge with a Galaxy S26, but the S26 lineup appears to have sidelined the S26+ entirely.

Potential strategies for the s27

So, what’s next for Samsung? Several options present themselves:

• Focus on the core: Release only the S27 and S27 Ultra, mirroring the S23 lineup.
• Introduce a FE model: Add a more affordable Galaxy S27 FE to broaden its appeal.
• Bring back the Note: Reintroduce the Galaxy S27 Note with a full S Pen experience at a potentially lower price point.

The future of the s26+

Honestly, it's hard to see a compelling reason for Samsung to continue with a Galaxy S26+ in its current form. The price increase doesn't justify the incremental improvements. If the S26+ continues to underperform, Samsung might choose to scrap the idea entirely and focus on a more streamlined lineup. The S27 series could see a return to a simpler approach, with a clear distinction between the flagship and a more accessible option.