Goodbye Galaxy S Plus? My search for a 2026 alternative begins

Samsung may try to mix things up in 2026, and the upcoming Galaxy S26 series might be significantly different than what we're used to. I've been a Galaxy S Plus fan since 2022, but 2026 might change everything. For a start, rumors and leaks say that Samsung will rename the base model as the Galaxy S26 Pro and that the ultra-slim Galaxy S26 Edge will substitute the Plus variant.

As a fan of the Plus series, I know all too well how annoying the repeating Plus-related leaks and rumors have been over the past several years. But this time, they seem more plausible than ever. Samsung might actually pull the plug on the Galaxy S26+ in 2026 and replace it with the Galaxy S26 Edge.

Of course, as an S Plus supporter since I got the Galaxy S22+, this rumored strategy worries me. I am using a Galaxy S24+ at the moment and may soon have to upgrade to a new device. So it got me thinking. What will my options be beginning in 2026? Or rather, what will “our” option be, considering that there are millions of Galaxy S plus users out there. Let's explore some alternatives.

I must admit that cameras are the least of my concerns whenever I pick a new phone. I'm not much of a mobile photographer, so the camera quality is way down my list of priorities.

That being said, the upcoming Galaxy S26 Edge might not be a bad choice over my existing Galaxy S24+. I may lose battery life, though I will gain a more exciting design and a build made from more exotic materials.

All in all, I'm not excluding the Galaxy S26 Edge as an option for my next phone. But would I prefer a Galaxy S26+ instead? Most likely. Nevertheless, I'll have to wait and see what Samsung has in store next year. And who knows? I might fall in love with the next Edge.

Switching from the S24+ to the Galaxy S26 Ultra is probably the least likely scenario for me. As I just mentioned above, I don't value mobile cameras all that much to care about 100x zoom. Besides, I gave up on the S Pen once I left the Galaxy Note 10 behind and bought the S22+.

Spending extra on the Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn't seem worthwhile for me, but who knows. Samsung might change my mind.

As for the Galaxy S26 Pro, this one could be a more interesting alternative to the S26 Edge. The Pro's battery life probably won't be stellar either, but the phone will have a more compact design.

It's been a while since I used a compact phone, so I might find the Galaxy S26 Pro surprisingly enjoyable.

However, I get the feeling that I might end up wanting to complete my S26 Pro experience with a tablet. I sometimes use my S24+ in the kitchen or in bed to stream content, and the S26 Pro's smaller screen might not cut it.

All in all, the Galaxy S26 Pro might actually be a great choice, but only as long as I could offset its small display by using a tablet at home.

Lastly, if Samsung ditches the Galaxy S Plus series early next year, I will inevitably give a more serious thought to the company's latest foldable phones.

Between the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, I may find the Fold 7 more appealing because of the large inner screen. Then again, the Fold 7 is quite expensive, and since it is a foldable phone, it's inherently not as durable as a slab-type phone.

If the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is too big of an investment, then what about the clever Galaxy Z Flip 7?

Well, I don't really view the Galaxy Z Flip as an upgrade over the Galaxy S Plus. Technically speaking, it's worse in every way, from battery life and durability to cameras and performance.

However, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 does have a gorgeous design, and its larger cover screen could make me approach the mobile device experience in a whole new way. This freshness might be the ultimate thing that could appeal to me.

To wrap this up, I seem to have several interesting options to replace my Galaxy S24+, but I'm not yet sure which path I'm going to walk on yet. To summarize:

As a Galaxy S Plus fan, I feel both sad and excited by what might come next. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. The search for a new phone could end up being more rewarding than I thought. And maybe a change of pace will bring more joy to my day-to-day mobile experience.