Samsung’s standard Galaxy S26 is suddenly its hottest phone

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Samsung is ramping up Galaxy S26 production as demand for its base flagship outpaces expectations.
• The base Galaxy S26 is unexpectedly hot, with Samsung boosting its production by 500,000 units in April — far above the original plan.
• The Ultra model commands 60–70 % of total S26 series demand, thanks in part to its exclusive features.

Production Increase

A report from ZDNet Korea says Samsung is raising its monthly production target to 3 million units, a 25 % increase from the original plan of 2.4 million.

Model‑specific Changes

• Base Galaxy S26: Production for April was increased by 500,000 units, from an initial 800,000 to 1.3 million.
• Galaxy S26 Plus: Production was cut by 100,000 units.
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: Remains the most popular model, accounting for 60 %–70 % of S26 series demand. Production was increased by 200,000 units, bringing April’s total to 1.5 million. In other words, two out of every three S26 phones made are Ultras.

Reasons for the Unusual Split

1. Base S26 Appeal – Attracts buyers who want top performance without the high price or large screen of the Ultra.
2. Ultra’s Unique Feature – The Ultra includes a Privacy Display that blurs the screen from side angles while staying clear when viewed straight on. This is the first time Samsung has integrated this privacy technology directly into the display. (Read more)

Impact on Budget Phones

The shift in production has led Samsung to cut output of its budget A‑series devices:

• Galaxy A57: Reduced from 1.8 million to 1.6 million units.
• Galaxy A17: Reduced from 4.4 million to 3.9 million units.

Higher memory‑chip prices are making it harder to keep these lower‑cost devices affordable.