Surprise! Samsung May Launch a Galaxy S26 Pro Next Year

Samsung appears poised to radically overhaul its flagship smartphone lineup with next year’s Galaxy S26 series. The company may introduce a new Pro model in place of the base Galaxy S26, while the S26 Edge might replace the Plus. This marks the biggest shakeup since Samsung introduced its three-model flagship lineup with the Galaxy S20 series in 2020. More importantly, it may not be just a rebranding, but a strategic shift toward a more premium-centric portfolio.

Galaxy S26 Pro may be the cheapest Samsung flagship next year

Rumors about Samsung retiring the Plus model and replacing it with a “super-slim” Edge variant aren’t new. But the latest discovery from internal Samsung firmware suggests an even more dramatic change. There may be no standard Galaxy S26 at all next year. Instead, the devices referenced in the One UI 8 firmware are labeled Galaxy S26 Pro (M1), S26 Edge (M2), and S26 Ultra (M3).

First spotted by Android Authority, the internal codename for the next-gen flagships could be “Momentum” or “Modern” based on the M1, M2, and M3 shorthand. To recall, the codename for the Galaxy S25 series was Paradigm, while that for the S24 was Eureka. Those lineups included a base model, a Plus, and an Ultra — the S25 lineup was labeled PA1, PA2, and PA3, and the S24 was labeled E1, E2, and E3.

Considering all this, Samsung may very well drop the base Galaxy S26 and the S26 Plus next year. The Pro model may now serve as the entry point into the S26 series and may feature significant hardware improvements. While it could retain a 50MP main camera like its predecessor, it’s reportedly switching to a Sony sensor, hinting at a shift away from Samsung’s in-house ISOCELL technology.

Samsung is rethinking how it positions its flagship devices

This rebranding may be a major strategic shift aimed at conveying hardware upgrades. The “Pro” label automatically signifies more value than “base.” Also, ditching the Plus variant helps reduce redundancy, as it was the least-selling model in the lineup for years. The Plus was basically a jacked-up base model, while the Edge offers something fresh: a slim design with premium specs. With this shift, all three models target users with specific smartphone needs.

Interestingly, earlier reports used the “NP1–NP3” codenames, short for “Next Paradigm,” to label the Galaxy S26 series. However, Samsung seems to have replaced those in the latest internal builds, suggesting recent strategic changes. The shift to M1–M3 aligns with Samsung’s broader strategy to freshen up its flagship identity and maybe even leave the aging “Base–Plus–Ultra” formula behind for good.

The only concern we have is the pricing structure. With the entry model now being called the Galaxy S26 Pro, Samsung may be thinking of a price hike across the board. Perhaps the company may have taken this decision in response to the US reciprocal tariffs that could force a price hike. Samsung may want to reinvent its flagships to ensure buyers are willing to pay a premium price. Expect more Galaxy S26 leaks in the coming weeks.