Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus Renders Reveal New Camera Design
▼ Summary
– Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Plus is now expected to launch early next year, reversing earlier speculation that it was canceled in favor of an Edge model.
– New renders based on leaked specs show the S26 Plus with a redesigned camera island positioned directly below the three lenses, differing from the rumored full-width camera of the S26 Edge.
– The S26 lineup has undergone significant changes, with the Pro model replaced by the regular S26 and the Edge swapped for the Plus, leaving the fate of the dropped models uncertain.
– The S26 Plus will be approximately 7.35mm thick, similar to the S25 Plus and notably thicker than the slim S25 Edge, indicating a shift away from the thin phone trend.
– A separate Edge model codenamed “More Slim” is reportedly still in development, though it may launch later than other S26 models or be canceled entirely.
Rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus have taken a dramatic turn, with new renders suggesting the mid-tier flagship is back on track for an early 2026 release. This development comes just months after speculation indicated the model would be canceled in favor of a slimmer Edge variant. According to the latest information, the situation has completely reversed, with the Edge now reportedly shelved and the Plus model moving forward.
Leaked imagery, provided by the well-known source OnLeaks and published by Android Headlines, offers our first potential glimpse of the device. While the overall appearance remains largely familiar, one area stands out as significantly different. The most notable design change involves the rear camera module, which adopts a new, compact island positioned directly beneath the three camera lenses. This configuration appears similar to designs previously leaked for the now seemingly canceled S26 Ultra and S26 Pro models, marking a departure from the full-width camera bar once rumored for the S26 Edge.
The entire S26 series lineup has been a subject of considerable confusion and change. Industry insiders were once unified in predicting a major overhaul, with a proposed trio consisting of the Ultra, a new Edge model, and a smaller Pro version. That vision has evidently been abandoned. The current plan seems to favor a more conventional approach, swapping the Pro for a standard S26 and replacing the Edge with the revived Plus. The fate of the two dropped models remains uncertain, leaving it unclear if they will ever be officially launched.
Reports indicate the S26 Plus will measure 7.35mm in thickness, making it nearly identical to its S25 Plus predecessor. This dimension also positions it as noticeably thicker than the ultra-slim 5.8mm S25 Edge, effectively ruling out the possibility of it being a second-generation thin phone carrying the Plus name. In a related detail, the standard S26 is said to be 7.24mm thick, slightly more than earlier leaks suggested for the Pro model. This trend suggests Samsung may be stepping back from the aggressive thinness it pioneered with the original Edge phone earlier this year.
For enthusiasts who prefer slimmer devices, there may still be a glimmer of hope. A report last month from the Dutch fan site Galaxy Club mentioned that another device, codenamed “More Slim,” is still in development. This could potentially be a new Edge model that might launch a few months after the main S26 series, similar to the strategy used with the S25 Edge. Alternatively, it could signal the final chapter for the Edge line. A clearer picture will likely emerge as we approach the anticipated S26 launch in early 2026.
(Source: The Verge)
