The Galaxy S26 Ultra is controversial in this key way, but let me tell you why that's a good thing

I tend to obsess about what a phone can do, not the way it is on the outside. Yeah, sure, I like some models (like the boxy, overly aggressive-looking Galaxy S24 Ultra) more than others, but if I had to choose between a Porsche-like phone with a small battery and a pathetic camera and the ugliest phone ever (but with great battery and camera), I'd definitely go for the hideous one.

Those massive camera islands on phones look like they're about to launch into orbit – but they're actually doing real work. Bigger sensors need more room, and more lenses mean sharper shots, better zoom, and night photos that don't look like security cam footage from 2002. It's less about style and more about cramming a DSLR into your skinny jeans. Wobbly on the table, sure – but your photos won't be. I can live with that.

Now, where have I seen this before?

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's alleged camera island design reminds me very much of the way these two brand-new Sammy phones are:

• Galaxy Z Fold 7
• Galaxy S25 Edge

The common theme is that both of these (despite one being a foldable) are super thin and the camera surroundings are protruding quite a bit:



It's only logical that the (allegedly thinner) Galaxy S26 Ultra will follow in suit. The $64,000 question is:



So far, nothing is pointing at such a direction. As Sammy fans very well know, the Galaxy S24 Ultra dropped its predecessor's 10x zoom for a 5x lens. Most people weren't out there spying on mountaintops anyway, and the 5x hits the sweet spot for everyday zoom. Plus, with higher-res sensors doing the heavy lifting, you still get crisp detail without carrying a phone that feels like binoculars.

Careful now, don't overdo it

Camera islands can get annoyingly large to the point where they're a bit impractical. Like my colleague Vic found out first hand:

• Vivo X200 Ultra Review: Impractical design, but an incredible camera

This (otherwise excellent) phone feels awkward to hold due to its top-heavy design, which throws off the balance and makes it easier to fumble. While it's only slightly heavier than the Vivo X200 Pro at around 230 grams (comparable to other large phones) it's the uneven weight distribution that stands out more than the overall heft.

I doubt that Samsung will slap a humongous camera island on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but cons of large camera islands had to be highlighted. The more you know.

Camera islands won't make a photo admiral out of you

I've praised camera islands so much that one would think nothing else is needed for capturing great shots. Nothing can be further from the truth. You may have the ultimate machine in your arsenal, you may have a camera island as big as Greenland on the back of your phone and still fail.

Why? Because the hardware part is just one part of the equation here. Knowing what makes a photo great (the correct light for your needs, the angle, the best moment to press the shutter, etc.). If you keep ignoring the basic rules – or worse, if you abide by them all the time, without trying to break them – you'll end up in a limbo so deep that even the most expensive gear won't pull you out of.

Like this dude's post I saw in a popular forum for dedicated cameras the other day: he was baffled as to why his brand-new gear (that cost him several thousand dollars) produced "lousy" shots. I know why: because the shots were taken in the worst lighting conditions, without any idea for composition or "story", no juxtaposition, no tone, no mood: just some random pics of flowers, people, buildings, etc.

I often advise those who whine about not having a good enough camera to check out the iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) from, say, 2018. If you keep telling yourself that your 2025 or 2024 phone "is not good enough", check out what some are able to do with iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 series. Great stuff.

I really hope Samsung doesn't read that last part I just wrote, though. They might decide not to upgrade the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera setup at all. So far, there are some positive camera-related rumors surrounding the future flagship. Let's not jinx it.