Samsung is making some changes for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, fresh leaks suggest Hinted over the last couple of days. It will also be a bit different from the S25 Ultra, in that it is looking to be easier to hold, lighter overall, and skinnier too. But these tweaks aren’t free — they come with some trade-offs, predominantly in the cameras. A big leaker, Ice Universe, has been dropping details on this, saying the S26 Ultra is already in production, so these changes are probably locked in. He’s talking about a downgrade to one of the telephoto cameras while trimming the phone’s thickness by about 0.3mm. If you’re into phone photography, this might sting a little, but Samsung could make up for it with software tricks. Let’s break it down step by step with what we know so far from the leaks.
Design Updates: Getting Slimmer and More Comfortable to Hold
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is slimming down a bit to address some gripes people have had with older models. Leaked details hint at a body that’s 7.9mm thick, which is down from the 8.2mm thickness on the S25 Ultra, should make it feel less chunky in your pocket or hand. The weight also drops a teeny tiny bit, from 218 grams to 217 grams; it’s not much, but if you’re coming from something heavier, you’ll notice. Ice Universe shared renders showing the front middle frame is more rounded now, not as sharp as before, which could make it comfier against your fingers during long use. The whole phone keeps that premium feel with a large screen and the S Pen slot still in place—no signs of ditching that yet. But here’s the catch with the slim-down: the camera bump is sticking out more than ever. It’s up to 4.5mm thick on the S26 Ultra, compared to 2.4mm on the S25 Ultra, making the total profile at the bump around 12.4mm. That bump takes up almost half the phone’s back in some renders, and it’s there because the body is thinner overall, forcing the cameras to protrude further. Ice Universe explains it’s needed for a smooth transition, especially with upgrades like a bigger aperture on the main camera, adding extra bulk inside. If you hate phone wobbles on tables, this might bug you more than before, but cases could help level it out. Overall, the design aims for better ergonomics, like curved edges that make it easier to swipe and hold without sharp corners digging in. Compared to rivals like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the S26 Ultra holds its own in thinness, but that camera island might make it feel uneven in hand. Some leaks even hint at the whole S26 lineup shaking up names—no Plus model, instead a S26 Pro that’s around 6mm thick and a super-thin S26 Edge at 5.5mm, but those are separate from the Ultra.
Camera Changes: Some Steps Back, a Few Forward
Cameras are where the S26 Ultra gets mixed news from the leaks. The main setup sticks close to what worked before, but with tweaks that could hurt or help depending on what you shoot. The star is still the 200MP main camera, but it’s getting a brighter F1.4 aperture, which should let in more light for better shots in dim rooms or at night without as much blur. That’s a solid bump from the S25 Ultra’s setup and part of why the camera bump grew—it needs space for that larger opening. The 50MP ultrawide lens hangs around with an F1.9 aperture, good for wide scenes like groups or landscapes, and the 50MP 5x periscope telephoto comes back unchanged, with its 1/2.52-inch sensor, 0.7µm pixels, and 111mm focal length. Ice Universe says this 5x sensor is the same one Samsung’s been using since the S24 Ultra, and it’ll stick around through the S27 Ultra too—four years straight without a hardware refresh. That’s fine if you like consistency, but it might lag behind competitors pushing bigger sensors or higher zoom by 2026. The TOF depth sensor is still there for better portraits and AR stuff. Now, the rough part: the 3x telephoto is taking a hit. Leaks say it’s dropping to a 10MP sensor (though one post mentioned 12MP, but most stick with 10MP) with an F2.4 aperture, a tiny 1/3.94-inch size, and 1.0µm pixels. That’s smaller than the S25 Ultra’s 1/3.52-inch IMX754 sensor, which means less light capture and potentially weaker low-light performance or more noise in zoomed shots. Ice Universe blames the thinner body for this—the 0.3mm slim-down forces the sensor to be flatter, and it’s not popping out like before. Basically, it’s like Samsung is pulling the 3x down to match the standard S25’s level instead of upgrading everything. The camera layout changes too: three lenses in a block, one separate on the back, which looks fresh in renders but doesn’t change the specs much. Samsung’s known for using AI and software to boost cameras, so they might tune this to hide the downgrade—think better processing for colors, sharpness, or night modes. But if you’re zooming a lot, especially indoors, you might notice softer details compared to the S25 Ultra. On the plus side, the bigger main aperture could make everyday photos pop more, and the whole system might feel snappier with whatever chip powers it.
Display and Other Rumored Features
Not much has leaked on the screen yet, but Ice Universe teases surprises with some of Samsung’s top display tech making an appearance. Expect a big, bright panel like before, probably around 6.8 inches with high refresh rates for smooth scrolling and gaming. Bezels look thin in renders, keeping that edge-to-edge vibe. Battery life could benefit from the slimmer build if they pack in efficient parts, but no solid leaks there yet. Charging might stay at 45W wired—no jump to 60W like some hoped. The phone’s set for a 2026 launch, so more details will trickle out, but early signs point to Samsung playing it safe on hardware while leaning on software smarts. If you’re upgrading from an older Ultra, the thinner feel and rounded edges might win you over, plus that S Pen for notes or drawing.
What This Means for Buyers and the Competition
All these changes add up to a phone that’s easier to carry but might skimp on camera power where it counts for zoom fans. The downgrade on the 3x lens feels like a step back, especially when rivals are pushing 4x or better telephotos. Ice Universe even calls out Samsung’s camera team for copying others without fresh ideas, saying they’re in a tough spot for future models like the S27 Ultra. If low-light zoom is key for you, sticking with the S25 Ultra or looking at Chinese brands with bigger sensors might be smarter. But for general use, the S26 Ultra could still shine with AI edits, stable video, and that upgraded main camera pulling its weight. The thicker bump might annoy some, but it’s the price for cramming in better optics elsewhere. Overall, this feels like Samsung refining what works rather than reinventing—lighter, comfier, but not a massive leap. If more leaks drop, like on the processor or battery, it could tip the scales. For now, it’s a mixed bag: gains in handling, losses in some photo quality.
