Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup has barely started leaking, and already, things are getting weird. The usual flood of model numbers and regulatory listings has begun, but this time, the leaks are serving up more questions than answers. That’s because a new report indicates the base Galaxy S26 will see a notable jump in its model number, and this bump might be a sign Samsung is cooking up some major hardware changes.
For what feels like eons, Samsung’s top-tier phone lineup has been a familiar trio: a standard model, a Plus variant for those who like a bit more screen real estate, and the behemoth Ultra for the tech-obsessed. However, it appears that the Galaxy S26 is breaking tradition. As spotted by SammyPolice, the GSMA database recently listed a mysterious SM-S942 model, which could be the Galaxy S26. But it’s not alone. Other listings include SM-S947 (Galaxy S26 Edge) and SM-S948 (Galaxy S26 Ultra).
Samsung’s usual play is to give the base model a number ending in “1”—like how the Galaxy S25 rolls with SM-S931. But if these listings are any indcation, the Galaxy S26 might break that trend by switching to a “2” at the end. The last time Samsung pulled something like this, we ended up with a surprise Galaxy S25 Edge model that actually outranked the Plus version.
Killing the Plus? Bold move, Samsung
That’s exactly why these new listings are raising eyebrows. What looks like a small change could be hinting at something much bigger. The base Galaxy S26’s updated model number might point to real hardware upgrades, or maybe even a lineup shake-up, with Samsung possibly swapping out the Plus model for a new Edge variant.
Notice anything missing from that list? That’s right, the Plus model. Normally, it’d show up with a ‘6’ at the end, like SM-S946, but it’s missing this time around. And naturally, that has kicked off a wave of rumors. Could Samsung be ditching the Plus for good? Maybe it’s betting the base S26 will be upgraded enough to make a middle option pointless.
If that’s what’s happening, it looks like Samsung could be streamlining the lineup after sticking with three models for years. And honestly, the Plus version being a no-show in recent leaks just adds more fuel to the fire.
