Samsung may add a "Pro" model to Galaxy S lineup, matching Apple's strategy

[DragonSlayer101]

Rumor mill: Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 lineup currently spans three models: the base S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. That structure may not last long. A new report suggests Samsung is preparing to introduce a fourth "Pro" variant next year, expanding the Galaxy S lineup in a way that closely mirrors Apple's four-tier iPhone strategy.

Citing unnamed industry sources, South Korean outlet ETNews reports that the Pro model would slot between the Plus and the Ultra in the upcoming S27 series, effectively becoming the second-most premium option. It is expected to inherit much of the Ultra's feature set, including Samsung's new Privacy Display technology, which debuted with the S26 Ultra this year.

Despite the Pro moniker, the new model is not expected to include the S Pen, a feature that would remain exclusive to the Ultra. It is also unclear whether the device would support the stylus as an optional accessory. Beyond that, details remain scarce, with no confirmed information on hardware specifications or pricing.

– Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) April 6, 2026

The addition of a Pro tier could help Samsung target a narrower slice of buyers: those who want top-end features without the S Pen. At the same time, it positions the Ultra more clearly as a premium upsell for users willing to pay extra for stylus support.

While higher prices may be bad news for customers, Samsung will likely justify the move as a response to the ongoing memory crisis that has seen price hikes across much of the consumer electronics sector. Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices in some markets shortly after launch, citing supply pressures. A more segmented lineup gives the company additional room to adjust margins across tiers.

This would not be Samsung's first attempt at a four-model strategy. The Galaxy S25 Edge, introduced last year, was discontinued within months after underperforming.

Reports suggest it sold around 1.3 million units by August, trailing far behind the rest of the lineup. Samsung will be hoping that the S27 Pro will have better luck.

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Samsung may add a "Pro" model to Galaxy S lineup, matching Apple's strategy

 

[Joe Marsden]

Not a surprise they tend to copy everything Apple does to the point where they copy rumours

 

[scavengerspc]

I wonder if Samsung is under the illusion that having a Pro model for a much higher premium is going to help them reach Apple sales.

 

[acrossthestars]

So, 2 things:

1. If Samsung is offering a "Pro" Galaxy variant to mirror Apple's iPhone "Pro" offering, for approximately the same price, why wouldn't I just...get the "Pro" iPhone? This is upside-down understanding of market capital and mind share. Samsung's biggest strength is both the diversity of their product portfolio and the product segmentation in their portfolio. Apple doesn't provide even 1/5 of the that Samsung devices have. They've never provided phones with a stylus, a microSD card reader, a micro projector, or any other zany inventions and innovations that Samsung has experimented with over the years
.
2. Samsung technically has a larger outstanding share of the market in relation to Apple, but apparently, they aren't happy with that. They don't just want to have a similar market share to Apple, they want to be Apple. They want that level of brand loyalty. But, they can't do that, because they'd have to have the same vertically-integrated infrastructure that Apple does and besides, if they attempted do that, then they'd be competing against themselves, as themselves. They already provide the lion's share of the parts for most Android devices, including both Apple and Google.

You can't both supply the market and be the market.

 

[daffy duck]

Scamsung is so original! I own S24 Ultra, but they are not an innovative company these days IMO.

 

[guillejp]

If a Pro without an S Pen is ever released, they'll discontinue the Ultra in a couple years and the S Pen will be sold separately alongside dedicated Pro cases that can keep it.

This is because they're copying Apple in the design of their lineup by making a Pro, and Apple has already validated that you don't need to include a pen to sell your most featureful and expensive model. No matter if a few Android users choose the Ultra for the S Pen, the vast majority don't use it and it is just a bonus, and Samsung can have an additional revenue source by selling it plus the cases as accessories.