First real-life photos of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra revealed with new design and bigger battery

Although the Galaxy S25 product line has just been launched not long ago, rumors about the next generation Galaxy S26 have begun to appear and receive attention from the smartphone enthusiast community.

 

First real-life photo of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leaked

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series, expected to launch next year, is attracting a lot of attention, especially with changes in product strategy. Many rumors say that Samsung will keep the 'Plus' version but kill the Galaxy S26 Edge series. And recently, a case manufacturer seems to have accidentally revealed the first real image of the Galaxy S26 Ultra - the most premium model in this product series.

Design blends Galaxy S25 Ultra and Z Fold7

 

According to reputable leaker Tarun Vats, leaked images show that the Galaxy S26 Ultra has an overall design similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the camera cluster is reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Fold7 with a clearly raised edge.
This completely coincides with previous rumors that Samsung is planning to slightly change the camera design to increase synchronization between its flagship lines.

The model in the photos appears in black, which will likely be one of the official color options at launch.

The three main cameras are arranged in the same rectangular cluster, while the two secondary lenses and LED flash are separated on the side. Apart from the camera cluster, the sensor position and other details remain similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Larger camera cluster, softer corners

This change seems to be intended to bring symmetry and balance to the overall design, while also increasing the space for Samsung to fit in a larger camera sensor.

Notably, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is also said to have more rounded corners, following the new trend like the iPhone 16 or Google Pixel 9, making the device look softer and more modern.

Upgrades to battery, fast charging and camera

Samsung is reportedly going to increase fast charging speeds on the Galaxy S26 Ultra – possibly even reaching the fastest ever in the company's history.

The battery capacity is also said to be higher than the 5,000 mAh on the current Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Additionally, it's possible that Samsung will revive the 'variable aperture' feature – last seen on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ – to give the device more flexibility in a variety of lighting conditions.

With rumored improvements like a thinner design, larger battery, and more powerful camera, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be a worthy upgrade in Samsung's flagship line next year.