Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Leak Indicates Potential Controversial Design Decisions
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to undergo a series of changes, according to various leaks and rumors. The device is likely to be manufactured using a Qualcomm chip globally, while Samsung's own Exynos 2600 chip, produced in their 2-nm process in South Korea, will be primarily reserved for other models and markets.
The design of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series has been leaked by Ice Universe, suggesting that the S26 Ultra will have more rounded corners compared to its predecessor, the S25 Ultra. This design language is reportedly more akin to the iPhone, marking a departure from the completely square corners of the S24 Ultra.
One of the most intriguing rumors surrounding the S26 Ultra is the possibility of a larger aperture lens for its primary, wide-angle camera. This could potentially differentiate the S26 Ultra from its predecessor in terms of camera hardware. However, if this rumor proves to be true, the S26 Ultra's design may compromise its styling, as relying on a larger aperture lens to differentiate itself might be a risk.
The S26 Ultra is also expected to be 0.4mm thinner than its predecessor. Given the potential implementation of a larger aperture lens, a camera island becomes essential on the S26 Ultra to soften the thickness transition between the phone's main body and the end of the camera lens.
Samsung is reportedly grouping all three lenses of the S26 Ultra and S26 Pro into one raised camera bump. The camera islands for these devices appear to be more conservative, following a vertical stack design. However, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge may have a wider camera island similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, although the reason for this change is unclear, as it contradicts the purpose of minimizing phone thickness.
Ben Andrews, the Imaging Labs manager at Digital Camera World, is a renowned figure in the field of photography. With years of experience trialling and testing camera equipment, he is a human encyclopedia of benchmarks for recommending the best buys. His insights will undoubtedly be valuable when assessing the camera capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
The likely January launch of the S26 Ultra could be a disappointment if its design and camera hardware do not significantly differ from the S25 Ultra. However, these changes in design and potential improvements in camera hardware could also excite Samsung fans who prefer a more distinctive look and superior photography capabilities.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 series phones may have different camera island designs, adding to the anticipation surrounding their release. As more information becomes available, we will keep you updated on the latest developments regarding the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
