Samsung isn't ready to part with the Galaxy S25+

Since time immemorial, Samsung has been marketing three members of its flagship S series of phones, trying to fit a set of sizes and specifications to suit everyone’s tastes. Well, not really immemorial, since the trend started with the Galaxy S10 series and then with the S20 siblings where the Ultra branding took over from the Plus models as the biggest and baddest members of the family.

Then came the release of the first S-series phone to support an S Pen, the S21 Ultra, effectively integrating the Note line into the S series and relegating the Plus versions to red-headed stepchild status, cruel as that may seem to the otherwise decent Galaxy S24+ and others before it.

It’s not that they’re bad phones, but the price differences with the Ultras generally weren’t enough to justify decent sales numbers, so rumors started to circulate that Samsung would discontinue the Plus line.

These rumors reached a crescendo the other day when no Galaxy S25+ reference could be found in the IMEI database, a fact that was interpreted by some as a sign that Samsung will only release two S25-branded phones next year.

This speculation may be premature, as GalaxyClub sleuths have once again uncovered three internal model numbers for the upcoming S25 series. As usual, the SM-S936 designating the Galaxy S25+ sits right between the smaller SM-S931 number of the S25 and the big and bulky SM-S938 of the S25 Ultra.

For comparison, the current Galaxy S24+ is designated SM-926, so if history is any indication, an SM-936 model number is a clue that an S25+ exists. Now, it’s unclear if it will be released, in which markets, or why it’s still not listed in the IMEI database.

Apparently, Samsung is still not ready to abandon its S-line trilogy, and a complete redesign or overhaul of the series is only expected for the Galaxy S26 models.

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Daniel, a dedicated tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been passionate about mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he has a keen interest in the future of digital health, automotive connectivity, and 5G. Outside of his professional life, Daniel balances traveling, reading, and exploring new technological innovations, while also reflecting on the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.