Samsung Galaxy S26 Base Model May Be Skipped in 2026

The upcoming model of Samsung, Galaxy S24 FE, could be available soon in the retail market of Pakistan, and the next model, Galaxy S25 (S, Plus, and Ultra), will be announced in 2025 as well. But rumors about the Samsung Galaxy S26 standard model suggest that the company is planning significant changes in its flagship Galaxy S phone lineup, expected in 2026.
It appears that Samsung might skip the Vanilla Galaxy S26 model entirely. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 standard, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra are set to launch in January 2025, following the usual annual schedule.
Past Example of Samsung Tab S10

This news spread after a tweet by “Ice Universe” on X (formerly Twitter), a reliable source for Samsung’s Galaxy S series predictions. According to this tipster, Samsung could potentially drop the standard Galaxy S26 model. In a recent post on X, the tipster mentioned that just as Samsung focused solely on Plus and Ultra models for the Tab S10 lineup in 2023, it might take a similar approach with the S26 series.
Tweet by Ice Universe on X
When OPPO Find X8 is released, you will find that one of the characteristics of the new flagship in 2024 is that it is small and powerful. Chinese brands are much better at making small-sized mobile phones than Samsung and Apple. You will realize that Galaxy S25 is no longer…
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) October 1, 2024
Why Might Samsung Take This Step?
The base Galaxy S models have yet to be able to match the performance offered by other smartphones at the same price point, particularly those from Chinese brands that feature more advanced specifications.
This performance gap may lead Samsung to cancel the Galaxy S26 standard model and instead focus on launching only the Galaxy S26 Plus and S26 Ultra in 2026. TechRadar, a well-known news site, also covered this story, indicating that the change could be a result of rising competition.
Competitions with Chinese Manufacturers
There are many reasons behind these rumors. Chinese mobile manufacturers are gearing up to release smaller, high-spec phones in 2025 and 2026. Recently, an Oppo representative revealed that the upcoming Find X8 will be more advanced than its predecessor, the Find X7. This new model will feature a compact design, making it lighter and thinner, with slimmer bezels.
Another Chinese brand, Vivo, is also preparing to launch its new flagship series, the X200, expected in 2025. In addition to the standard models, they plan to introduce a mini model, offering a smaller size while maintaining performance on par with the X200 Pro.
What Challenges Are Coming for the Galaxy S25?

Samsung Galaxy S25 may also face challenges as Chinese mobile companies continue to enhance their new models, offering more features at similar prices. This could be the reason why Samsung is considering different decisions to avoid these challenges with the S26 base model. Many reliable sources have also reported this news.
The Source of this Rumors about Galaxy S26
As mentioned earlier, the source of this information is “Ice Universe,” known for reliable news about Samsung. However, this news may be overemphasized, so it’s important to conduct thorough research before forming any opinions.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 2024 Released in Pakistan

In 2024, Samsung released its last model in Pakistan, the Galaxy S24 FE, which was announced in September. However, it is expected that this model will be available for retail in October 2024. In Pakistan, the S24 FE might be slightly delayed, with reports suggesting a November release at an estimated price of Rs. 224,999.
Galaxy ‘S FE’ Features are Quite Similar to Galaxy ‘S’ Series
The features of Samsung’s Galaxy S FE are quite similar to the essential features of the base model Galaxy S series, but the FE comes at a lower price. This could also be a reason why having standard Galaxy S models at higher prices is a challenge, as customers in Pakistan prefer affordable phones with good features.
Final Words
However, it’s still uncertain whether Samsung will truly skip the standard model of the Galaxy S26. It is possible that before the official announcement in 2026, the company may make some changes. Keep an eye on upcoming news and continue your research to stay updated.