Samsung may not be canceling the Galaxy S26 Edge after all — but I think it should

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
(Image credit: Future)

It appears that rumors of the Galaxy S26 Edge’s demise may have been greatly exaggerated. However, I believe removing it from the lineup is the better option.

Samsung and Apple have both been pushing to release phones that are thinner and thinner. In Samsung's case, this took the form of the Galaxy S25 Edge, which measured an impressive 5.8mm thick. However, while it's certainly impressive to look at, the sales supposedly weren't quite at the level that Samsung wanted.

However, a new leak piece from Galaxy Club tells a different story. According to the report, Samsung is working on a device codenamed "More Slim." For reference, when the Galaxy S25 Edge was in development, it reportedly carried the codename "Slim."

Now, we don't know much about this device at all, or even if it would be called the Galaxy S26 Edge. However, if Samsung is using the same naming convention, then it could indicate Samsung plans to make an even thinner phone in the future.

This feels like the wrong direction to take

iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

(Image credit: Future)

At a glance, this is certainly an interesting concept, but honestly, it feels like the wrong direction to take. While working to make an even slimmer phone could be enough to draw interest, it still comes with the problems that both the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air have suffered.

The main problem is that, if you aim to make a phone thinner, you have to make sacrifices in other places. In the case of the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung cut the battery size, with the phone only offering a 3,900 mAh battery. In comparison, both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus feature a 4,900 mAh cell.

There were also complaints about the cameras included with the device. Unlike the other phones in the Galaxy S25 series, the Galaxy S25 Edge only features two cameras. The Galaxy S26 Edge was expected to offer the same dual-camera setup, with a 200MP main camera and a possible 50MP ultrawide.

Leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge

(Image credit: Android Headlines / OnLeaks)

Now, sacrificing some hardware for a specific design isn't completely new, for instance the the Galaxy A56 offers much less power than its contemporaries. However, it is also much cheaper, with the phone only costing $499. The Galaxy S25 Edge didn't have that excuse; instead, it cost $1,099 when it was released. In comparison, the Galaxy S25 had a base price of $799.

So you're getting a thinner phone that is more expensive, and noticeably lacking in certain other features. As such, I struggle to figure out who this phone is really for, and if Samsung plans to release an even thinner version, then I worry about what it will conceivably offer.

With that being said, it is still very early days, with Samsung's next line of phones not expected to appear until 2026. With that in mind, there's still a lot that can change, and Apple might have some surprises in store for us.

So, let us know what you would like to see from the Galaxy S26 Edge —maybe some interesting new features or better cameras. Alternatively, let us know if you're concerned about the phone's future or are just happy to see it go.

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Josh Render
Staff Writer

Josh is a staff writer for Tom's Guide and is based in the UK. He has worked for several publications but now works primarily on mobile phones. Outside of phones, he has a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer. 

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