Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra may mark a significant change in design, with reports suggesting the phone will adopt a large monolithic camera island, similar to the one rumored for Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
Since the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung’s Ultra phones have used separate circular camera modules for each sensor. The new design, last seen on the Galaxy S21 Ultra in 2021, would consolidate all cameras into a single large area.
According to a report from South Korea, this change is driven by the need to accommodate upgraded camera hardware, including a new main camera and telephoto sensor.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature Sony’s upcoming 1/1.1-inch 200MP sensor, which would mark a major leap in camera performance. In addition, the phone may have rounder corners, continuing Samsung’s trend away from sharply angled designs.
Industry observers note that large camera islands have become a hallmark of Chinese flagship phones, including Xiaomi, vivo, and Oppo models. Samsung’s move may signal a broader trend among non-Chinese brands to use prominent camera designs to showcase photographic capabilities.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is anticipated in 2026, though Samsung has not yet confirmed specific release dates or specifications.
