Highlights
- Samsung has dropped plans for a successor to the Galaxy S25 Edge due to weak sales.
- The Galaxy S26 series will use Samsung’s first 2nm Exynos 2600 chip.
- It will rely on an external modem likely Exynos 5410 raising concerns about power efficiency and battery drain.
Caption – Galaxy S25 Edge in the picture. (Image credit – Samsung)
Samsung is reportedly pulling back from the ultra-thin smartphone segment. New reports suggest the company has cancelled plans for a successor to the Galaxy S25 Edge due to weak sales performance and limited consumer interest in ultra-slim flagship devices. Here’s more on this.
No Successor to Galaxy S25 Edge?
Earlier leaks had hinted that Samsung was exploring the idea of replacing the Galaxy S26+ with a revamped Edge model in 2026. Those plans were later softened into a more cautious wait-and-see strategy. Now, sources indicate that development of the next Edge model has been fully discontinued.
The Galaxy S25 Edge placed a strong emphasis on achieving an ultra-thin form factor, but that design reportedly came with notable compromises. The phone’s 3,900mAh battery, in particular, faced criticism for struggling to deliver reliable all-day usage.
Camera flexibility was another area impacted by the slim profile. The Galaxy S25 Edge reportedly omitted a telephoto camera, while Apple’s iPhone Air is said to feature only a single rear camera. Together, these limitations suggest that buyers place higher value on longer battery life, versatile camera systems, and improved thermal management than on having an ultra-thin and lightweight design.
A report from October also noted that Apple reduced iPhone Air production by around one million units, pointing to similarly lukewarm demand.
Galaxy S26 Exynos 2600 Chip To Use External Modem
Caption – Upcoming Galaxy S26 Series phone leaked render. (Image credit – OnLeaks/Android Headline)
Separately, new details about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series have surfaced, particularly around its chipset strategy. The Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ are expected to ship with Samsung’s new Exynos 2600 processor in select markets such as South Korea. The chip is notable as Samsung’s first smartphone processor built on a 2nm process, but it reportedly comes with a key compromise.
According to tipster Erencan Yilmaz on X, the Exynos 2600 does not feature an integrated cellular modem. Instead, it is said to rely on a separate external modem, believed to be the Exynos 5410. A Samsung Semiconductor official has since confirmed to Android Authority that the 2nm Exynos chip does indeed use an external modem.
In contrast, most modern smartphone processors including the Exynos 2400 and Exynos 2500 integrate the modem directly into the chip. Integrated modems generally improve efficiency by reducing data travel, helping to lower power consumption and heat generation during mobile connectivity.
External modem setups are typically less power-efficient. In any case, Samsung has not yet explained how the external modem will impact battery life. We can expect that to become clearer once Exynos-equipped Galaxy S26 devices launch early next year.
FAQs
Q1. Why did Samsung cancel the Galaxy S26 Edge plans?
Answer. Weak sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge and limited consumer interest in ultra-thin flagships led Samsung to discontinue the Edge successor.
Q2. What were the main drawbacks of the Galaxy S25 Edge design?
Answer. Its ultra-thin profile forced compromises, including a small 3,900mAh battery with poor endurance and the omission of a telephoto camera.
Q3. What is notable about the Galaxy S26’s Exynos 2600 chipset?
Answer. Built on a 2nm process, the Exynos 2600 uses an external modem (Exynos 5410), which may reduce power efficiency compared to integrated modem designs.
