The era of the boxy Ultra is coming to an end. For the first time in four generations, Samsung is rumored to be redesigning the Galaxy S26 Ultra with rounded edges and a unified camera housing. Moving away from its “floating lens” heritage, this 2026 flagship aims to balance the iconic Ultra power with a bolder, more ergonomic look.
Goodbye, Sharp Corners: The S26 Ultra’s Most Requested Design Change is Finally Here
The most immediately noticeable change in the leaked S26 Ultra renders is the chassis shape. Since the S22 Ultra, the series has maintained sharp, 90-degree corners. While visually striking, these “stabby” corners have been a persistent pain point for users who find they dig into the palms during long sessions.
According to reliable leakers like Ice Universe, Samsung has opted for noticeably rounded corners this time around. This “squircle” approach maintains the massive screen real estate users love while making the phone substantially more comfortable to hold for one-handed operation.
The Return of the 'Camera Island
While the corners address comfort, the changes to the rear camera are about engineering necessity. The new renders indicate a departure from individual lens cutouts, showing a unified “Camera Island.” This shift is reportedly required to house a massive new 200MP main sensor with a wider f/1.4 aperture. A unified housing allows engineers to stack thicker optics without making the entire phone feel bulky. In fact, rumors suggest the S26 Ultra could be as thin as 7.9mm, its slimmest profile yet.
The Battle of 2026: Competitor Comparison
As Samsung moves toward a more ergonomic and powerful flagship, the competition in the 2026 market is fiercer than ever. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will face off against the recently launched iPhone 17 Pro Max and the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro XL.
| Feature | Galaxy S26 Ultra (Rumored) | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pixel 10 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) | Apple A19 Pro (3nm) | Google Tensor G5 (TSMC 3nm) |
| Main Camera | 200MP (f/1.4 Aperture) | 48MP Fusion | 50MP AI-Optimized |
| Design | Rounded Corners / Titanium | Two-Tone Aluminum / Glass | Polished Metal / Glass |
| Charging | 60W Wired / 25W Wireless | 29W Wired / 25W MagSafe | 37W Wired / 23W Wireless |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 8.25 mm | 8.5 mm |
To see these design changes in action, watch the comprehensive visual breakdown below, which compares the leaked Galaxy S26 Ultra renders directly against its primary 2026 rivals:
While the iPhone 17 Pro Max has shifted toward a new “Camera Plateau” design and an aluminium-heavy build for better heat management, Samsung is doubling down on raw hardware dominance. The S26 Ultra’s 60W fast charging finally puts it ahead of Apple’s current standards, and its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to set new benchmarks in mobile gaming and multitasking.
Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro XL remains the “smart” alternative, focusing on the Tensor G5’s specialized AI processing rather than pure hardware specs. However, for users who want the “everything” phone with the S Pen, the best zoom, and the fastest chip, the S26 Ultra looks to be the clear frontrunner.
Final Outlook
Samsung is no longer just chasing specs; it is refining the user experience. By merging high-end photography hardware into a more comfortable, rounded frame, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a holistic evolution of the Android flagship.
Samsung is expected to officially unveil the Galaxy S26 series at an Unpacked event in February 2026.
