Leaks around Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series are starting to paint a clearer picture of what to expect, and the latest one is unlikely to win over everyone. New images and a short video of Galaxy S26 Ultra dummy units suggest Samsung is doubling down on a camera bump design that was already divisive.
The phone is still months away from launch, but the hardware direction now looks fairly locked in.
Leaked Dummy Units Show Minimal Design Changes Overall
The leak, shared by @OnLeaks on X, shows non-functional dummy units of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. While these models do not power on, they typically reflect near-final industrial design.
At first glance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra looks almost identical to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The squared-off silhouette with slightly rounded corners remains intact, and the overall footprint does not appear significantly smaller or larger.
The real change is concentrated entirely around the rear camera hardware.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Adopts a Raised Camera Island
Unlike previous Ultra models where individual lenses sat closer to the back glass, the Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to feature a distinct raised camera island. The three main lenses are grouped together on a small elevated platform, similar to the design Samsung introduced on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
This creates a two-step camera bump: one elevation for the island itself, and another for the lenses protruding from it.
Visually, it is a noticeable shift, and not necessarily a subtle one.
Table Wobble is Likely Getting Worse, Not Better
Samsung phones have had an off-center camera placement for years, and that design choice already causes noticeable wobble when the phone is placed on a flat surface.
With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, that issue looks poised to get worse.
Because the camera module is positioned toward the left side of the device and now sticks out even further, the phone will almost certainly rock more aggressively when tapped on a table. We have already seen this exact problem play out on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, where the camera bump is large enough to make the phone physically teeter during use.
Extending that design language to a slab phone like the Ultra feels questionable, especially given how large and heavy the device already is.
Thinner Chassis May be Driving the Camera Bump
The most likely reason for the larger camera bump is Samsung’s push toward a thinner overall chassis. If internal thickness is reduced while camera sensors remain large, something has to give, and that something is usually the camera module.
From a technical standpoint, this makes sense. From a usability standpoint, it introduces friction.
A thinner phone that rocks on every hard surface is not necessarily an upgrade for users who frequently type, scroll, or watch videos with their phone resting on a desk.
Cases Will Fix it, but That is Not the Point
Yes, a sufficiently thick case will flatten the back and eliminate wobble entirely. That has always been the workaround.
The issue is that many Galaxy Ultra buyers prefer thin cases, skins, or even going caseless, especially given how bulky the phone already is. Adding a thicker case just to compensate for camera design feels like solving a problem Samsung created in the first place.
It is not a deal-breaker, but it is an annoyance that did not need to exist.
Not a Deal-Breaker, but an Unnecessary Compromise
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will almost certainly still deliver excellent cameras, top-tier performance, and a great display. None of that is in question.
But this new camera bump looks like one of those design decisions that users will tolerate rather than appreciate. It solves an internal engineering problem while introducing a daily usability annoyance, however minor.
For a flagship that will likely command a premium price, that tradeoff feels avoidable.
Galaxy S26 Series Launch Timeline
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S26 series in February. More leaks are inevitable between now and then, but if these dummy units are accurate, the camera bump is one design choice that is probably not changing.
Whether users accept it or complain loudly enough remains to be seen.
