Samsung's Galaxy S26 series might go in a new direction without the standard model

Not long ago, an Oppo rep revealed that the upcoming Oppo Find X8 will be more compact than its predecessor, the Find X7. With a smaller design, it’ll also be lighter and thinner and feature slimmer bezels. Ice Universe points to this device as a prime example of how Chinese brands are crafting compact phones that put the base Galaxy S models at a disadvantage in the market.

Another Chinese brand, vivo, is gearing up to launch its next flagship series, the X200. According to several reports, this lineup will introduce not only the vanilla X200 and the X200 Pro but also a new mini model that promises to be more compact while still delivering the same powerhouse performance as the X200 Pro.

However, competition from China might not be the only thing to consider. Another factor at play could be the availability of the Galaxy S FE models, which provide many of the essential features found in the main Galaxy S devices but at a lower price point. I think it seems a bit redundant to have both a base Galaxy S and a Galaxy S FE, especially with the latest Galaxy S24 FE, where the specs are nearly identical and the price tags are getting alarmingly close.

However, it is still too soon to tell if Samsung will actually drop the standard Galaxy S26. The Galaxy S26 series isn’t set to launch until 2026, which means there is plenty of time for plans to shift before then.