Galaxy S26 Ultra Slims Down But Keeps Its Weight

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is already drawing attention long before its official release, thanks to new leaks suggesting a significant design change that may not be as dramatic in practice as it first sounds. While Samsung appears ready to shave a fraction of a millimeter from the main chassis thickness, the phone will still feel like a heavyweight in the hand – both figuratively and literally.

According to trusted leaker Ice Universe, the S26 Ultra is expected to come in at 217 grams.

That’s virtually identical to its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which tipped the scales at 218 grams. For those hoping that slimmer design lines would finally deliver a noticeably lighter device, the reality looks far less exciting.

The numbers tell the story. The S25 Ultra was 8.2 mm thick, whereas the upcoming S26 Ultra is rumored to slim down to 7.9 mm. On paper, that’s a welcome reduction, but the savings are immediately offset by a far more pronounced camera module. While the S25 Ultra’s camera bump was just 2.4 mm thick – making the full depth 9.1 mm – the S26 Ultra may introduce a 4.5 mm bulge, pushing the overall thickness to a hefty 12.4 mm. Essentially, Samsung is trading body slimness for camera heft.

That trade-off is understandable given how much camera technology now defines flagship smartphones. Samsung has built its Ultra series reputation on providing cutting-edge photography capabilities, often eclipsing rivals like Apple and Google in sheer hardware ambition. A bigger camera bump almost certainly means larger sensors or additional stabilization mechanisms, which could translate into meaningful improvements in photo and video performance. But from a usability standpoint, that also means the phone could feel top-heavy, making it awkward to hold for long stretches or while gaming.

Even with the negligible weight reduction, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will still stand out among its peers for being slightly lighter. Consider that Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 227 g, the Pixel 10 Pro XL weighs in at 232 g, and both the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Vivo X200 Ultra push 229 g in some variants

. In comparison, 217 g makes the S26 Ultra one of the leaner large-format flagships, even if the difference in day-to-day handling is nearly imperceptible.

For long-time users of oversized smartphones, the weight itself may not be the real concern. Instead, the key factor will be weight distribution. If Samsung’s design funnels much of the phone’s mass into that enlarged camera housing, the user experience could suffer. Poor balance often leads to hand fatigue, increased chances of dropping the phone, and a generally less comfortable grip. On the other hand, if Samsung manages to cleverly spread the mass across the chassis, the S26 Ultra could still deliver a satisfying feel despite its numbers on paper.

In short, Samsung seems to be prioritizing camera prowess over ergonomics with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. While it may not be dramatically lighter, it promises to push forward in mobile photography. For consumers, the question will be whether the trade-off is worth it – a slimmer profile at the cost of a chunkier camera bump, with virtually the same overall weight.