Samsung Galaxy S26+ Display Upgrade Scrapped in Late Development Pivot

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26+ will reuse the same display panel as its predecessor rather than receiving an anticipated upgrade, according to supply chain sources. This unexpected decision stems from a late-stage cancellation of the planned Galaxy S26 Edge model, which triggered a series of hardware compromises for the Plus variant.

Industry insiders report to Korean publication The Elec that Samsung originally intended to equip the Galaxy S26+ with an advanced display panel developed for the now-cancelled Edge model. When Samsung abruptly terminated the Edge variant late in the development cycle, engineers were forced to pivot quickly. With insufficient time to source or develop an alternative display solution, the S26+ will instead utilize a display nearly identical to the Galaxy S25+, though it may incorporate improved glass technology.

The display situation contrasts sharply with the base Galaxy S26 model, which will reportedly receive a larger 6.27-inch display compared to the Galaxy S25's 6.16-inch panel. This creates an unusual scenario where Samsung's mid-tier device misses a planned display upgrade while the entry-level model gains screen real estate.

Production priorities further highlight Samsung's development challenges. The Galaxy S26 Ultra entered mass production in December 2025 - significantly earlier than its siblings - with Samsung allocating components to secure 3.6 million units initially. Current production targets stand at:

• Galaxy S26 Ultra: 3.6 million units
• Galaxy S26: 700,000 units
• Galaxy S26+: 600,000 units

The company reportedly plans to adjust these figures in February, increasing production for the standard and Plus models while scaling back Ultra volumes. This recalibration suggests Samsung expects stronger demand for its more affordable flagships despite the display compromise on the Plus model.

Component sourcing challenges have also pushed the Galaxy S26 series launch to February 25, approximately one month later than the S25 series debut. This delay provides Samsung additional time to optimize production for the reconfigured lineup. The situation underscores how late-stage hardware decisions can ripple through manufacturing pipelines, particularly when flagship components require long lead times.

For consumers, this development means the S26+ will offer largely unchanged display characteristics compared to its predecessor, including size and likely resolution. The silver lining remains potential improvements in durability through upgraded glass technology, though Samsung's display innovation will be primarily reserved for the Ultra model this generation.