The Galaxy S25 Ultra is not even available yet, but it’s already feeling outdated. The reason? It still uses a punch-hole camera, a technology that first appeared in 2019.
In the fast-moving world of smartphones, that’s a long time. To stay ahead, Samsung is reportedly testing a new design for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra.
According to tipster kro, a prototype of the Galaxy S26 Ultra exists without a camera hole. This suggests the phone could feature an under-display camera (UDC), a technology first introduced in the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
The UDC hides the camera under the screen, providing a clean, unobstructed display. The screen’s pixel density is lowered in certain areas, allowing light to pass through so the camera can still capture images.
While the UDC technology has improved since its debut, it still has limitations. The image quality is not as good as traditional front-facing cameras.
However, Samsung’s image processing technology might help bridge the gap between the UDC and standard cameras. Even with these advancements, UDC is not ideal for high-quality selfies.
Samsung is still testing the UDC for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, so there’s no guarantee it will be part of the final design. In addition, reports suggest Samsung is exploring new battery stacking technology and a brighter, more efficient screen for the phone.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a year away, so details are still unclear. But if these changes come to life, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could be a major leap forward in smartphone design.