Samsung has made the abrupt decision to cancel the development of its highly anticipated Galaxy S26 Edge smartphone, according to reports from Korea's NewsPim. This move comes on the heels of disappointing sales figures for the ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge, which aimed to compete with Apple's iPhone Air.
As of this week, Samsung has reportedly informed its employees that work on the Galaxy S26 Edge will be discontinued. Internal discussions held in September highlighted a shift in priorities toward more traditional smartphone designs, particularly the Plus model. This change comes after the company confirmed that consumer interest in ultra-slim flagship models was significantly weaker than anticipated.
The Galaxy S25 Edge, which features a sleek 5.5mm profile and a 3,900mAh battery, received criticism for its high price point and limited battery capacity. Consumers expressed concerns that the device's ultra-thin design compromised essential features such as durability and battery life. Samsung's leadership has now decided to pivot towards models that resonate more broadly with consumers, rather than continue developing niche products that may not meet market demands.
This decision to halt the Galaxy S26 Edge development comes less than five months after the Galaxy S25 Edge was launched in May. The initial goal was to create a new category of ultra-slim flagship smartphones positioned between the standard Galaxy S and the Ultra models. The Edge brand, once synonymous with Samsung's innovative curved-display technology, was intended to replace the Plus series with a more stylish and trend-driven option.
Moving forward, Samsung plans to introduce a Galaxy S26 Plus model in its 2026 lineup, reverting to a more traditional three-tier structure that includes base, Plus, and Ultra variants. Although development for the Galaxy S26 Edge was reportedly already complete, the company will focus its resources on the S26 Plus, with development expected to commence before the end of the third quarter of 2025.
Reports suggest that the atmosphere within Samsung has become chaotic and tense following this sudden revision of their smartphone lineup. In response to the disappointing sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung plans to sell through its existing inventory before ceasing further production once the stock is depleted. This news could spell trouble for Apple's iPhone Air, which may be facing similar challenges in the competitive smartphone market. Notably, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated last month that the iPhone Air was the only model of the four new iPhones that was readily available at launch, suggesting that demand may not have met expectations.
