Latest CAD-based renders of the Galaxy S26 Ultra tease a big design shake-up for Samsung’s best phone, trading the bulky lines of the present boxy shape for a curvier look.
The pictures come courtesy of Android Headlines and show a black model with rounded corners, a flat screen, and a rerouted position for the rear camera — all of which suggest Samsung may be homing in on ergonomics as well as branding at play here for its Ultra flagship.
Rounded Corners and a Flatter Front for Comfort
The renders depict a flat screen with relatively thin, consistent borders and a centered punch-hole selfie sensor, following the S25 Ultra’s rejection of waterfall edges in favor of shaping up the contouring of the frame. The major departure is at the corners: they’re rounded rather than squared off, which will lessen palm pressure and make them more comfortable during long sessions of use.
Aspects of hardware control are just as simplistic — power and volume on the right, nothing on the left — and at the bottom we start to see a little action with various ports including the S Pen slot, USB-C port, speakers, and, importantly, a SIM tray. If this proves true for the retail model, it would reverse a trend of eSIM-only designs in certain areas and please jet-setters who flip SIMs regularly.
Camera Island Returns with a Consolidated Module
The floating ring-only style of the most recent Ultras is nowhere to be seen. The S26 Ultra renders display four rear cameras, three mounted on a raised island and the fourth one lying alone. The island itself stands around 4.5mm tall on a 7.9mm-thick body, peaking at a little below 12.4mm at the hump. That’s a practical trade-off: consolidating an island can better enclose the module so rigidity increases, create more scope for heat dissipation, and lessen wobble on flat surfaces.
Samsung has gone back and forth between modest rings and the neat island atop, over generations, though a single pad usually plays well with larger sensors and more sophisticated periscope optics. It also provides a more powerful visual separation for the Ultra from the other Galaxy S line, and that counts in retail where glance recognition coursing through our primitive visual vein system speeds up attention.
Why Samsung May Be Easing the Sharp Ultra Aesthetic
That hard, squared-off Ultra aesthetic was a direct descendant of the Galaxy Note line and it projected a business-forward, stylus-first identity. Rounding its corners without bringing back screen curves says to me that Samsung is taking into consideration two very common user wants: a flat, protector-OK display and a more palm-friendly feel. Analysts and teardown experts have long observed that truly flat panels reduce accidental edge touches, as well as simplify durability add-ons, while softened frames cut pressure hotspots.
There’s also the competitive context. Apple’s newest Pro models have even eased their edges after getting flat sides, and a handful of Android flagships have strayed from aggressive curves back toward flat OLEDs with micro-bezels. It’s a good middle way that feels premium, photographs well, and plays well with gaming grips and productivity use — the ultimate Ultra user base.
What the Renders and Leaks Tell About Specs
And even if the CAD files are just concerned with shape and placement, the greater rumor mill has had no shortage of expected internals to fill in. Rumors point to a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform for most regions, a 5,000mAh battery, and a next-gen display aimed at providing better peak brightness and power efficiency. Display Supply Chain Consultants has reported year-over-year increases in OLED luminance and efficacy, so Samsung tends to push the envelope every year with Ultra models.
On imaging, the leaks indicate a similar but more polished set of four: a 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, a 12MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP 5x periscope. The new island shape may have something to do with more than looking cool — larger sensors, longer folded optics, and better stabilization often benefit from more robust mounting and a bit of extra internal volume for heat spreaders and wiring.
What It Means for the Evolving Ultra Identity
If these renders are to be believed, Samsung is evolving the Ultra’s form factor without losing the productivity DNA. The S Pen rests in the same old dock, the display remains flat for accurate input, and there’s a camera system that screams flagship aspirations. I suspect the retreat from razor-edged corners indicates practicality and comfort are being given top priority over a more industrial austerity that characterized recent Ultras.
As always with CAD-based leaks, the specifics can shift before mass production commences. But when several design cues converge — curvier corners, flat panel, and camera island, unchanged button and port layout — they often offer hints at the end product. For now, the S26 Ultra appears set to retain that Ultra power while toning down the boxiness that won mixed opinions among enthusiasts.
