Samsung Galaxy S26 Launch Delayed Following Model Shift, case Maker Confirms
Seoul, South Korea – A case manufacturer’s preparations have revealed a meaningful shift in samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup, confirming reports of a delayed launch.Initially planned for January, the release of the Galaxy S26 series is now expected to slip to at least February, and potentially March, due to the late-stage development of a newly added model.
Samsung had previously announced plans to discontinue the “Edge” variant and focus on Ultra and standard models. However, recent facts originating from South Korea indicates the company is reversing course, spurred by competitive pressures from Apple and Xiaomi’s latest device releases. This reversal involves canceling the Galaxy S26 Edge and initiating development of a Galaxy S26+ that was not originally slated for production. Concurrently, the planned Galaxy S26 Pro will be rebranded as the base Galaxy S26 model.
The Free android first reported the initial shift, and confirmation from case manufacturers-who begin production months in advance based on finalized specifications-underscores the disruption. The late start on the Galaxy S26+ is the primary driver of the delay, as mass production cannot begin untill development is complete. Samsung intends to prioritize production of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and standard S26 models, deferring the S26+ until later, but even this strategy may not be sufficient to meet the original January timeline.
The news impacts consumers anticipating Samsung’s flagship devices, as well as investors tracking the company’s market position against key rivals. The Galaxy S series represents a crucial component of Samsung’s mobile business, and any delay could affect revenue projections for the first quarter of 2025.
