The Galaxy S26 Ultra is already stirring debate long before its official unveiling, with fresh renders painting a controversial picture of Samsung’s next flagship. 
According to trusted leaker Ice Universe, the design shift is dramatic, and not everyone will appreciate the direction Samsung seems to be heading.
One of the headline changes involves the camera system. Samsung is reportedly introducing three new rear sensors, a bold step that alters the balance of design and functionality. The primary 200MP shooter and the 50MP telephoto lens with 5x zoom are tipped to adopt wider apertures for improved low-light performance. Meanwhile, the 10MP 3x telephoto camera that has been a staple on earlier Ultras may disappear, giving way to a larger 12MP module. While on paper this sounds like an upgrade, the physical footprint of these new sensors is far greater than before, and that is where concerns begin.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will measure 7.9mm in body thickness, making it slimmer than the 8.2mm Galaxy S25 Ultra. But this sleekness comes with a trade-off. Instead of the clean, embedded-sensor look of its predecessor, the S26 Ultra is expected to sport a pronounced camera island. This protrusion reportedly measures a hefty 4.5mm compared to the modest 2.4mm bump of the S25 Ultra. When the bump is factored in, the total thickness of the device balloons to 12.4mm, dwarfing last year’s 9.1mm overall profile. In renders, the result looks striking – some might even say excessive.
Critics argue that Samsung may have wasted an opportunity here. With such an increase in bulk, why not expand the telephoto hardware further or pack in a larger battery? Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max, for instance, is rumored to increase thickness slightly – 8.725mm compared to 8.3mm – yet that extra dimension reportedly enables a more substantial battery upgrade. Samsung, by contrast, appears committed to recycling the same 5,000mAh battery capacity that has powered Ultra models for six consecutive years.
For power users and enthusiasts, this could be frustrating. A more generous battery would not only balance out the added heft of the new camera island but also enhance day-to-day usability. Instead, Samsung’s decision to prioritize camera specs and slimness over overall ergonomics risks making the device feel awkwardly unbalanced.
That said, it’s still early days. Samsung could surprise us with software magic, further sensor optimizations, or other features that justify the controversial design. What’s certain is that the Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t shaping up to be a minor revision – it’s a bold statement that will likely divide opinion. Whether it ultimately proves tasteless or visionary will only be clear once it lands in users’ hands.
3 comments
ngl i like the new camera island design
that bump looks ridiculous lol
waiting for real hands on before i judge tbh