Goodbye Galaxy Ultra? Samsung is reportedly considering a new naming scheme for its best phones

The Galaxy S25 Ultra could be the last Ultra-branded Galaxy phone

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Rumors surrounding apotential rebrand for Samsung’s Galaxy S series smartphoneshave been swirling for some time now, and while we expect the upcomingSamsung Galaxy S25line to stick with tradition, more evidence is mounting that future Galaxy phones could adopt an entirely new naming scheme.

According to leaker @Jukanlosreve onX,Samsungis “studying the possibility of creating a new brand to separate the premium segment from the Galaxy brand.” @Jukanlosreve cites “Korean media reports” as their source, and although they don’t reference a specific outlet in their X post, many Korean news sites are indeedreportingthe same claim.

Previousrumorson this topic had suggested that Samsung might resurrect the Note naming scheme for theSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra(the last Notelaunched in 2020), with that phone being called the Samsung Galaxy Note 25, butrecent Galaxy S25 Ultra rendershint that Samsung will instead retain the Ultra moniker for at least one more year.

Just in: According to reports from Korean media, Samsung is studying the possibility of creating a new brand to separate the premium segment from the Galaxy brand.October 29, 2024

Interestingly, @Jukanlosreve’s latest X post makes no mention of the Note name. Rather, they reference the supposed creation of an entirely “new brand” for thebest Samsung phones, so perhaps we’ll see Samsung finally adopt the ‘Pro’ moniker, bringing its smartphones in line with premium models from the likes ofAppleandGoogle(theiPhone 16 ProandGoogle Pixel 9 Pro, for instance).

It’s not entirely clear whether Samsung is considering jettisoning the ‘Ultra’ label, specifically, or removing its premium models from the Galaxy category entirely. In all likelihood, both options are on the table; Korean outletetodayreports that Samsung is conducting an internal study on the matter.

Another model on the chopping block?

2026 could be a big year for Samsung’s standard (i.e. non-Ultra) S series phones, too. According to leakerIce Universe(viaSamMobile), theremight not be a Samsung Galaxy S26 at all, with Samsung potentially dropping its cheapest, smallest Galaxy S model because it’s “no longer competitive.”

When OPPO Find X8 is released, you will find that one of the characteristics of the new flagship in 2024 is that it is small and powerful. Chinese brands are much better at making small-sized mobile phones than Samsung and Apple. You will realize that Galaxy S25 is no longer…October 1, 2024

There’s been no indication that Samsung will add or remove models from its Galaxy S25 lineup in 2025, but all roads point to a major shakeup from 2026 onwards (indeed, Ice Universe notes that Samsung “may adjust the S26 series”).

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Perhaps, then, the Galaxy S25 UltraandGalaxy S25 will be the last of their kind.

You might also like

Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion. 

Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

Samsung reveals its next-gen Bixby AI – a Galaxy brain to rival ChatGPT and Gemini

Galaxy tri-fold rumors are hotting up, so here are 3 things we want to see

Scammers are using fake copyright infringement claims to hack businesses