Hey there! Martin here. If you’re anything like me, you probably spend a little too much time checking your Friend Solar System to see if you’re still “Mercury” in your best friend’s orbit. It’s a little addictive, right?
The other day, I was grabbing a coffee with my friend Sarah. We both have Snapchat Plus, and she jokingly complained, “Martin, I have ten close friends, but only eight planet slots. Why can’t Snap just add Pluto or some extra orbits already?” It got me thinking. With all the snapchat rumors 2026 flying around, could we actually see new Snapchat planets or a “Dwarf Planet” tier soon?
In this deep dive, I’m going to break down the current system, look at the potential for expansion, and share what I’ve discovered while poking around the latest updates.
My Personal Experience with New Snapchat Planets
I’ve been a Snapchat Plus subscriber since day one. Last month, I decided to run a little experiment to see how sensitive the “orbit” system actually is and if there were any hidden “ninth” or “tenth” slots being tested in the backend.
I spent a week aggressively snapping my 9th and 10th most frequent contacts—people who are usually just off my radar. I wanted to see if the app would “stretch” the solar system or if it was a hard limit at Neptune.
What I learned was fascinating: Even though I was interacting with these “outer rim” friends more than my actual Jupiter or Saturn friends, the UI never expanded. It’s a strictly 8-planet game. However, I did notice some weird lag in the ranking updates during the last “Snapchat Experimental” rollout. It almost felt like the app was struggling to decide where to place people who weren’t in the “Top 8” but had higher engagement than usual.
Honestly, it’s a bit frustrating! Having a hard cap at eight feels a little dated when most of us have larger core friend groups. It made me realize that the demand for a Pluto or “Kuiper Belt” update isn’t just a meme—it’s a genuine usability request.
Read More: Does Snapchat notify when you check planets?
Will Snapchat Ever Add Pluto?
The million-dollar question: Will we see Pluto? As of early 2026, Snapchat hasn’t officially confirmed a ninth planet. However, the community has been vocal about wanting extra orbits.
The “Pluto” Rumor Mill
In certain tech circles and Reddit threads, there’s talk about a “Legacy Tier” or a “Dwarf Planet” feature. The idea is that for those extra-long-term friendships that might not have the daily volume of a #1 Best Friend, Pluto could serve as a “Lifetime Achievement” slot.
Why 8 Planets Might Stay
Snapchat is big on “simplicity.” Their current design mimics the official astronomical solar system (sorry, Pluto fans). Adding more planets might clutter the UI. But as a power user, I think they’re missing a trick by not offering future snapchat plus features that allow for more customization.
Breakdown of the Current Snapchat Solar System
Before we look too far ahead, let’s look at the current lineup. If you’re trying to figure out where you stand, here is the official “pecking order” as it stands today.
The Inner Circle (The High Frequency Friends)
- Mercury: Your #1 Bestie. You guys are basically inseparable.
- Venus: Your #2. Close, but not quite the top spot.
- Earth: Your #3. A solid, daily connection.
- Mars: Your #4. You’re talking a lot, but maybe not every single hour.
The Outer Rim (The “We’re Still Close” Group)
- Jupiter: Your #5.
- Saturn: Your #6 (This one has the cool rings!).
- Uranus: Your #7.
- Neptune: Your #8. The final frontier of the Best Friends list.
Comparison: Current vs. Speculated Expansion
| Feature | Current System (2025/26) | Speculated Update (Late 2026+) |
| Total Planets | 8 | 9 or 10 |
| Top Rank | Mercury | Mercury |
| New Slots | None | Pluto / Eris (Dwarf Planets) |
| Customization | Standard Planet Icons | Personalized Planet “Skins” |
| Visibility | Plus Subscribers Only | Potential “Mini” version for Free Users |
Future Snapchat Plus Features: What’s on the Horizon?
While new Snapchat planets are the hot topic, there are other extra orbits and features being whispered about for late 2026.
1. Galaxy View
Instead of just one solar system, imagine having different “Galaxies” for different groups—like a “Work Galaxy” or a “College Galaxy.” This would solve the 8-friend limit without needing to add 50 planets to one screen.
2. Orbit History
Have you ever wondered when you dropped from Earth to Mars? A “Timeline” feature that shows your rank history over the last 30 days would be a total game-changer for those of us who love data.
3. Mutual Orbit Verification
Right now, you can see where you rank for them, but a “Perfect Alignment” badge if you are both each other’s Mercury would be a cool social flex.
Why the “Pluto” Update Matters
You might be thinking, “Martin, it’s just a digital icon. Why the hype?” Honestly, it’s about social validation. In the digital age, these rankings are the “friendship bracelets” of the 2020s. When Snapchat removed the “Public” Best Friends list years ago, it left a vacuum. The Solar System filled it, but by limiting it to 8, it creates a “cut-off” that feels a bit harsh. Adding new Snapchat planets like Pluto would soften that blow for the 9th or 10th friend.
Does it feel a bit petty to care about being “Neptune” instead of “Pluto”? Maybe. But have you ever felt that slight sting when you realize you’ve dropped out of someone’s orbit entirely? Yeah, me too.
FAQs about Snapchat Planets
1. Can I manually move a friend to a different planet?
Nope! Trust me, I’ve tried. The rankings are 100% data-driven based on your interaction frequency. If you want someone to move from Saturn to Mercury, you’ve got to start snapping them way more often.
2. Does the other person know which planet I am for them?
Only if they have Snapchat Plus and they check their own profile. Your “Solar System” is private to you, but if you are in their Top 8, they can see your planet rank in their system.
3. Why did my “Earth” friend suddenly disappear from the system?
This usually happens for two reasons: either your interaction dropped significantly, or they turned off the “Friend Solar System” feature in their settings. Snap added a privacy toggle recently because, let’s be real, it was causing some drama.
4. Is Pluto actually coming in 2026?
There is no official “Yes” from Snap Inc. yet. However, given the competitive nature of social apps right now, adding a “9th slot” is one of the most requested future snapchat plus features. I’d give it a 60% chance of happening by the end of the year.
Martin’s Final Tip
If you’re obsessed with the New Snapchat Planets rankings, don’t let it get to your head! These algorithms are weird—sometimes a flurry of group chats can bump a “casual” friend into your Mars slot, even if you aren’t that close in real life.
My advice: Use the Solar System as a fun way to see who you talk to most, but don’t use it as a “Friendship Health Meter.”
Would you like me to create a “Ranking Strategy” guide to help you climb the orbits of your best friends? Just let me know!
