Samsung could be preparing a big design shift for next year’s Galaxy S26 Ultra, going beyond more rounded corners. Reports suggest that the device may revive the camera island bump that disappeared after the S21 Ultra. Starting in 2022, the company embraced the “water droplet” look, with individual lenses sitting cleanly on the back panel without a raised island. But it may no longer be feasible with the camera upgrades planned for 2026.
Galaxy S26 Ultra might feature a camera bump, as upgraded lenses need more space
According to industry insiders, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature upgraded camera sensors with enhanced zoom capabilities. These improvements demand more physical space, forcing Samsung to revisit a design it retired five years ago. It’s a structural necessity, so the company can’t avoid it. Bigger sensors and more advanced optics naturally increase module thickness, and housing them within a unified island provides both functional and aesthetic balance.
Another approach would have been to make the phone bulkier, but that goes against Samsung’s design philosophy. It has been increasingly pushing toward a slimmer and lighter build for Galaxy flagships. Rumors suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be under 8mm thick, so Samsung likely doesn’t have enough room to fit quality cameras without adding a bump on the back of the phone.
Alongside the revived camera island, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may also continue Samsung’s gradual move away from its Galaxy Note legacy. Early leaks claim the device will adopt more rounded corners for better ergonomics, counterbalancing the larger rear module with improved grip. Combined with a slimmer profile, this could help users feel less of the added bulk from the expanded camera housing.
Interestingly, Samsung isn’t the only one facing this design challenge. Reports say Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, launching next month, will also adopt a much larger camera bump — nearly double the size of the iPhone 16’s — to accommodate new 48MP telephoto sensors and 8x optical zoom. While Apple fans have mixed feelings about the look, the trade-off for better camera performance appears unavoidable.