Samsung appears ready to reshuffle the Galaxy S lineup next year, swapping familiar model names for a new set that emphasizes Pro and Edge variants. Leaks from an internal One UI 8 build suggest the company may drop a plain Galaxy S26 in favor of a Galaxy S26 Pro, while replacing the expected S26 Plus with a thinner S26 Edge.
The leak includes code names and model mappings that echo Samsung’s past naming patterns but shift which suffix corresponds to the base model. If accurate, the change is mostly cosmetic, though it signals how Samsung wants to position the entry-level device.
What the One UI 8 leak reveals?
Inside an internal One UI 8 build, developers found references to next-year Galaxy models with new code letters and names. Historically, Samsung used these codes:
E1 – Galaxy S24
E2 – Galaxy S24+
E3 – Galaxy S24 Ultra
PA1 – Galaxy S25
PA2 – Galaxy S25+
PA3 – Galaxy S25 Ultra
The newest leak shows codes starting with the letter M tied to these upcoming models:
M1 – Galaxy S26 Pro
M2 – Galaxy S26 Edge
M3 – Galaxy S26 Ultra
Why this matters?
In previous generations the digit 1 referenced the base model. For the S26 generation, that digit now seems assigned to the Pro variant. We do not expect Samsung to launch an entirely new product; this looks like a straightforward renaming of the standard S26 to S26 Pro.
The move would let Samsung promote the standard model as better equipped than a slim Edge variant, even suggesting stronger cameras on the Pro than on the thin Edge. It also mirrors Apple’s plan this year to replace a Plus model with a thin Air variant in its iPhone lineup, according to earlier reporting.
Open questions and possible outcomes
One open possibility is that Samsung could still use the plain Galaxy S26 name for a later, lower-cost variant, perhaps following the company’s current naming rules as a Galaxy S26 FE. That remains speculative.
Another key concern is pricing. If the company simply renames the base phone as Pro, we hope the Pro badge will not automatically translate into higher launch prices.
Trust meter
The leak comes from an internal One UI 8 build, which is a credible source for upcoming model names and codes. While the change reads as a renaming rather than a product shift, final confirmation will have to wait for Samsung’s official announcement.
