Samsung has unexpectedly canceled development of its planned Galaxy S26 Edge smartphone after disappointing sales of the ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge, which competes with the iPhone Air, according to Korean news outlet NewsPim.
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Samsung reportedly halted work on the Galaxy S26 Edge this week, internally informing employees that the product line would be discontinued. Internal discussions in September shifted priorities toward the more conventional “Plus” design after it was confirmed that consumer demand for ultra-thin flagships was weaker than expected.
The Galaxy S25 Edge features a slim 5.5mm profile and a 3,900mAh battery, but its high price and reduced battery capacity have drawn criticism. Samsung leadership has reportedly decided to focus on models with broader consumer appeal, rather than pursuing specialized slim designs that compromise durability, battery life, and other features.
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The decision comes less than five months after the Galaxy S25 Edge was launched in May, following an ambitious attempt to establish a new category of ultra-slim flagships that slot between the standard Galaxy S and the Ultra model. The original plan to revive the “Edge” brand, once associated with Samsung’s curved-screen models, was intended to replace the Plus series as a sleeker, more modern option.
Samsung will apparently add a Galaxy S26 Plus model to its 2026 lineup, returning to the company's traditional triple-tier structure of base, Plus, and Ultra variants. Despite the cancellation, development of the Galaxy S26 Edge had already been completed. Development of the S26 Plus is expected to begin before the end of the third quarter of 2025.
The atmosphere within the company is said to be “chaotic” and “embarrassing” following the sudden revision of the series. Samsung is reportedly planning to sell off existing stock of the Galaxy S25 Edge and halt further production once the stock runs out.
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If true, the news may not bode well for Apple's iPhone Air, which could face similar challenges in the market. Last month, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that the iPhone Air was the only model of the four new iPhones that was readily available at launch, suggesting lower-than-expected demand.
