Anticipation is building for Samsung's next generation of flagship smartphones, slated for release next year. While some models may see significant overhauls, the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be more of an iterative update, evolving from its predecessor rather than undergoing a revolutionary transformation.
Recent detailed renders, brought to light through a collaboration between Android Headlines and OnLeaks, offer an exhaustive view of the Galaxy S26 Ultra from virtually every angle. These visuals suggest a device largely mirroring the S25 Ultra in its foundational design, retaining the familiar flat edges and gently curved corners. Dimensions provided alongside these leaks further confirm this continuity: the S26 Ultra is projected to be less than a millimeter taller and wider than the S25 Ultra, though its main body thickness sees a slight reduction from 8.2mm to a svelter 7.9mm.
However, this slimmer profile doesn't account for the most striking design alteration: the camera module. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to feature an entirely new camera design, reportedly drawing inspiration from the distinct, protruding plateau characteristic of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Earlier whispers of a remarkably bulky camera array now gain substantial credibility. While the phone's primary chassis manages to dip below the 8mm mark, the cameras themselves are expected to extend an additional 4.5mm from the device, culminating in an overall thickness of a substantial 12.4mm at its thickest point.
Curiously, this considerable increase in camera protrusion doesn't seem to correspond with substantial upgrades to the actual camera lenses. Android Headlines reports that the primary shooter will remain a 200MP sensor, now with a slightly improved f/1.4 aperture but few other major enhancements. More surprisingly, the 10MP 3x telephoto lens might even feature a smaller sensor than that found in the current Galaxy S25 Ultra. The 50MP ultra-wide and 5x periscope lenses, on the other hand, are anticipated to remain unchanged.
Given the apparent lack of groundbreaking improvements in the camera hardware, the enlarged camera bump's design choice raises questions. It suggests that Samsung's intent might be primarily cosmetic—to align the Ultra's aesthetic with other premium devices in its portfolio, such as the Z Fold line—rather than to accommodate more advanced or larger sensors. With several months remaining until Samsung's next Unpacked event, the tech community awaits further details that could clarify the design decisions and potential differentiating features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
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Originally published at: https://9to5google.com/2025/09/30/leaked-samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-renders-massive-new-camera-bump/
