The first leaks regarding Samsung’s flagship phones have begun to emerge, and the rumor suggests the company may be making a radical shift in its design philosophy. According to recent reports from South Korea, Samsung may abandon the independent lens design it has adopted since the Galaxy S22 Ultra for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, returning to a single-lens camera island after years away.

The Camera Island Returns After Years with the Galaxy S26 Ultra

The minimalist camera layout, also known as the waterdrop design, which debuted with the Galaxy S22 Ultra and later became standard, may be discontinued with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to leaks, Samsung will switch to a camera island design that houses all sensors in a single, large module, similar to the one last used on the 2021 Galaxy S21 Ultra. This move will bring Samsung closer to the design trends of its Chinese rivals and brands like Apple, which use more ostentatious camera modules.

The main reason behind this design change is said to be the major camera updates expected on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to the report, Samsung plans to integrate much larger and more advanced sensors into the device. The goal is to aesthetically conceal the inevitable camera bump created by these new and powerful sensors and to house all the lenses within a single island to create a more unified appearance. Previous rumors suggested that the S26 Ultra could feature a new Sony main camera sensor with a resolution of 200MP and a size of 1/1.1 inches.

In addition to the camera design, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is also tipped to feature softer, rounded corners compared to the current model. If these two significant changes materialize, Samsung’s new flagship phone will significantly differentiate itself visually from its predecessors from the past few years, marking a new chapter in the brand’s design language.