Samsung is right to kill off the Galaxy S25+ — even if I hate what it means

I knew the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge wouldn’t be a standalone product for long. The phone didn’t make any sense in Samsung’s lineup, and I expected changes to come with the Galaxy S26 series.

Sure enough, rumors suggest that Samsung is finding a permanent home for the Galaxy S25 Edge, but it comes at the cost of another device.

Instead of four phones in the Galaxy S26 lineup, it’s reported that Samsung will remove the Galaxy S25+ and replace it with the Galaxy S25 Edge.

It’s a move that makes sense for Samsung, and while I’m disappointed we’re losing the Galaxy S25+, it will actually make buying a Galaxy smartphone easier.

Samsung is smart to kill off the Galaxy S25+ in favor of the Galaxy S25 Edge — here’s why.

The Galaxy S25 Edge makes more sense as the middle child

Samsung didn’t need two $1,000 phones

The Galaxy S25 Edge created a traffic jam in the middle of Samsung’s lineup. It didn’t make sense for most people to spend more on the Edge when the Galaxy S25+ did more for less.

Still, I viewed the Galaxy S25 Edge as a proof of concept, something the company could build on for future phones. We’ve since gotten a slimmer Galaxy Z Fold 7, and I’m sure that the company can do even more with a thinner chassis in next year’s devices.

Replacing the Galaxy S25+ with the Edge creates more contrast, similar to what we had with the Galaxy Note series.

The Galaxy S was always a sleeker, more stylish device, while the boxy Note packed in features meant for enthusiasts. Samsung could return to that with the Galaxy S26.

There’s no doubt that the Galaxy S25 Edge is a sleek device that’s wonderful to hold in the hand. It could be targeted at casual users, while the S26 Ultra, with its S pen, could remain the choice for enthusiasts.

More reasons to buy the Ultra

A much easier conversation

Unfortunately, progress for Samsung comes at a cost to consumers. Unless the company can make significant design advancements, it means that people who typically buy the S25+ model will be restricted to a worse camera system.

The Galaxy S25 Edge does not feature a telephoto lens, and buyers may be disappointed if Samsung’s more affordable flagship option lacks one next year.

It’s a constant conversation each year when the new Galaxy models are released. Why should people spend more on the Galaxy S25 Ultra if they don’t need the S Pen?

It’s a hard case to make, especially when the Galaxy S25+ comes with a similar battery size and the same internals as Samsung’s top-end flagship.

A significantly better and more versatile camera system would quiet that argument.

People looking for a sleeker option without an S Pen would buy a Galaxy S26 Edge, while buyers seeking Samsung’s best camera system would be forced to pay up for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

It’s by no means a win for us, but I can see why Samsung would find the solution appealing.

I hate to see value go away

The Galaxy S25+ was the best choice for most

When I reviewed the Galaxy S25+, I highlighted how it was the best value choice for most Samsung buyers.

It features a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with 12GB of RAM. Its gorgeous 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel is the perfect size for a smartphone.

It’s not exactly a thick phone either, at only 7.3mm. It goes on frequent discounts and still includes a telephoto lens.

If you are a Samsung buyer in the market for a relatively value flagship compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it makes a lot of sense.

Eliminating the Galaxy S25+ takes that away, and people will be forced to spend more money next year.

The Galaxy S25 Edge is a neat smartphone, impressively thin and nice to hold in the hand. However, if it means buyers need to shell out an extra $300 to get a telephoto lens, I’m less excited.

Samsung complicates things by making them simpler

I know why Samsung plans to replace the Galaxy S25+ with the Galaxy S25 Edge in its lineup next year, but I don’t have to like it.

I wish Samsung would differentiate the Ultra device by adding more features, rather than removing features from the phones below it.

I’m sure the Galaxy S26 Edge will be thin like its predecessor, but I’d rather have a new S26+ phone that gives me a relatively compromise-free experience for less. A guy can dream, after all.