If you were excited to see future premium phones focus on a slim body, the news doesn’t seem good. The iPhone Air isn’t doing well in terms of sales, which has apparently led Apple to cut down on the production targets. In South Korea, however, the news is much more grim. Samsung has apparently lost hope on the slim phone form factor, rumoured to let go of the Edge series of smartphones forever.
Samsung has reportedly ceased development on the rumoured Galaxy S26 Edge device, hinting at a strategic retreat from the segment of super-slim flagship smartphones. The abrupt decision to let go of the super slim flagship follows disappointing sales and critical reception of its current ultra-thin model, the Galaxy S25 Edge.
The rumoured cancellation comes less than five months after the Galaxy S25 Edge was introduced in May, designed to compete with devices like the Apple iPhone Air.
Galaxy S25 Edge: One of its kind?
The Galaxy S25 Edge was Samsung’s ambitious attempt to revive the “Edge” branding from the past. Instead of representing curved edges, the new Edge established a new, sleek flagship tier between the standard Galaxy S and the premium Ultra models. However, its ultra-thin 5.8 mm profile required significant compromises that ultimately offended consumers. Chief among the compromises were its small 3,900mAh battery capacity and its high price point, both of which collectively led to weaker consumer demand than anticipated.
According to a report by Korea’s NewsPim, Samsung’s senior leadership has determined that the pursuit of ultra-slim designs compromises critical features, including durability and battery life, which are crucial to broader consumer appeal. Instead, the management has now renewed its focus on the standard Plus variant, which is expected to sell more than the Edge version.
The consequence of this sudden decision is the cancellation of the development of the S26 Edge, thus killing off the Edge variant. Samsung will now revert to its traditional three-tier lineup for 2026, planning to continue with a Galaxy S26 Plus model instead of the Edge. The product is already under development.
While Samsung is reportedly cancelling the Edge, Apple is also taking steps to offset the lower demand of the iPhone Air by reducing production.
