Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is already stirring debate ahead of its official launch, as a new leak sheds light on the design tweaks and hardware refinements in the pipeline. 
According to renowned tipster UniverseIce, Samsung is planning a thinner, lighter Ultra flagship with an updated camera module, a new display layer, and modest performance bumps.
One of the biggest changes: the Galaxy S26 Ultra may finally ditch the familiar floating lens setup in favor of a new camera island design. The leaked render shows three of the four rear lenses housed within this island, breaking a design tradition Samsung has held onto for the past four generations.
More importantly, the phone is expected to measure under 8mm in thickness-a noticeable trim from the 8.2mm S25 Ultra-while expanding slightly in width and height. Despite the larger footprint, it’s also rumored to weigh less than the current 218g.
Under the hood, the S26 Ultra will likely retain the 200MP main sensor but with a larger aperture for better low-light shots. Additionally, the 3x telephoto and 5x periscope lenses are expected to receive aperture improvements for sharper zoomed images.
Another highlight is the introduction of a 6.9-inch AMOLED panel using a Color-on-Emitter (CoE) depolarizer-technology that improves brightness and color while reducing power draw. Samsung will also reportedly implement its third-gen anti-reflective glass treatment, minimizing glare for better outdoor visibility.
As for charging, the device is expected to support 60W wired charging, finally improving upon the 45W limit seen in recent Ultra models. However, the 5,000mAh battery capacity remains unchanged, disappointing some users hoping for a significant endurance boost.
The reaction to the leaks has been mixed. While some applaud the thinner, sleeker design and camera refinements, others are frustrated by what they view as another incremental update. Critics argue Samsung’s unwillingness to innovate in battery size or overall form factor puts it behind more aggressive Chinese rivals.
Still, the Galaxy S26 Ultra seems to be Samsung’s attempt to walk the fine line between refinement and innovation-streamlining its design while subtly improving under-the-hood specs.