Samsung’s Galaxy S series has always been a blank slate for bold design choices, combining sharp edges with the latest tech to create its own identity. But according to tech insiders, the S26 Ultra, coming out in 2026, will have a smoother, rounder shape like the iPhone.
Unlike the boxy, aggressive look of the Note series which the S21 Ultra carried over in 2021 with the S-Pen, the S26 Ultra is said to be even more rounded than the S25 Ultra. This started with the S24 Ultra which toned down the sharpness from the S24 and S24+ and continued with the S25 Ultra where the rounded corners made the phone less likely to dig into your hands. Now, leaks suggest the S26 Ultra will take it further, aligning its 4 corners with the gentler curves of its siblings, potentially named S26 Pro and S26 Air. This could unify the S26 family look and create a cohesive visual language across the lineup.
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Camera upgrades are another focus of the leaks, with the S26 Ultra refining rather than revolutionizing the camera game. According to Ice Universe, the 200-megapixel main sensor since S23 Ultra will likely stick around. But the real story is in the optics: a larger aperture is expected to make the camera much more light sensitive, better low light shots and faster performance. Compared to rivals like Google Pixel 10 Pro (f/1.7) and iPhone 17 Pro (f/1.8), the S26 Ultra’s lens could outdo them in capturing details in low light. The 5x periscope telephoto lens is also tipped to get a larger aperture, better zoom shots in low light. Leaks suggest a possible camera config of 200-megapixel primary, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 50-megapixel telephoto with 3.5x or 4x zoom and maybe another 50-megapixel lens for 8x zoom. Earlier rumors of dual 200-megapixel sensors have been debunked, limitations in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset being the reason.
The four corners of the Galaxy S26 Ultra's body have become rounder.
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) August 24, 2025
The S26 Ultra is expected to have the same 5,000mAh battery as the S25 Ultra but charging speed will jump to 60 watts. This will get the phone from 0 to 75-80% in about 30 minutes, a small but nice improvement from previous models. It won’t be as fast as some Chinese rivals 100-watt charging but it’s a step up for Samsung’s flagship. Also, a second NFC antenna at the top of the device is rumored to improve contactless payments, something where Apple’s iPhones have been better due to their precise NFC positioning.
The S-Pen, a Note staple, remains a mystery. Despite rumors of its demise, recent leaks confirm the S26 Ultra will keep the stylus and its dedicated slot. That comes with a trade-off: the phone won’t fully support Qi2 wireless charging due to the S-Pen’s slot. If you want magnetic accessories you’ll need a special case. The S-Pen’s persistence suggests Samsung isn’t ready to fully abandon the Note heritage even as the design drifts further from its angular roots.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is the foundation for these changes and will power the S26 Ultra internationally, with the Exynos 2600 possibly in other versions like the S26 or S26 Edge in some countries. The Snapdragon ensures top performance and leaks suggest a 6% faster boost clock than the previous one. A slimmer, lighter body – potentially under 0.315 inches thick compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 0.345 inches – is a big plus, without sacrificing power. The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display could have a “Flex Magic Pixel” OLED that uses AI to limit viewing angles for privacy in critical apps, a first for Samsung’s flagships.
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