The Galaxy S26 Ultra is stirring up some buzz, and here’s why that might actually be a good thing. Most of us associate islands with those tropical paradises-white sand, palm trees, and a gentle breeze. But when it comes to smartphones, the island I’m talking about is the protruding camera bump. The bigger it is, the better the treasure it holds. In the case of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it looks like the camera island is going to grow, and it’s not something to be concerned about. 
Here’s why.
The latest leaks suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra might get a more prominent camera island, and while some may see this as a step back in terms of design, it’s actually a logical choice. The reason behind this is a thinner chassis. As we’ve seen with recent devices, thinner phones tend to push the camera setup out more. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to be around 7.x mm thick, so it makes sense for the camera island to extend beyond the rear panel. Of course, thinner phones are the trend, and one day we might even see a device that packs all the camera tech into a sleek, flat body. But for now, larger camera islands are a sign of better technology.
For me, it’s not about how a phone looks on the outside. Sure, I appreciate a well-designed phone (the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its bold, boxy design, is a favorite), but when it comes to functionality, I’ll take the ugly duckling with a fantastic camera and long-lasting battery over the sleek but underperforming phone any day. Those large camera islands may seem extreme, but they’re serving a purpose. Bigger sensors need more space, and more lenses provide sharper images, better zoom, and improved low-light photography. In other words, the bigger the island, the better the camera quality. And while it may make the phone wobbly on a flat surface, your photos will be rock steady.
The design of the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera island is eerily reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy S25 Edge, both of which sported thin bodies and protruding camera setups. This could mean that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will follow suit. The real question, though, is whether this redesign will bring back the much-loved 10x zoom camera. As of now, there are no clear signs that this will happen. The Galaxy S24 Ultra dropped its 10x zoom lens for a 5x one, and while the 5x zoom is perfectly suitable for most people, we still have some hope for a return of that 10x optical zoom.
That said, camera islands can get excessive. Take the Vivo X200 Ultra, for instance. Its top-heavy design made it awkward to hold, and the unbalanced weight distribution made it harder to use comfortably. Samsung is unlikely to make the same mistake with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but it’s worth noting that bigger camera islands come with their own set of issues.
At the end of the day, camera islands don’t make you a great photographer. Even with the best hardware, knowing how to take a good shot is essential. Lighting, composition, timing-these are what truly make a photo stand out. A recent post I saw in a camera forum perfectly illustrates this: a guy complained about his expensive new camera gear producing “lousy” shots. The issue? He was taking photos in poor lighting, with no consideration for composition. A great camera is only as good as the person using it.
So, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera island may be controversial, it’s important to remember that technology is evolving. We may not have reached the point of perfectly flat smartphones yet, but as long as the camera quality improves, it’s a trade-off I’m willing to make.