At this point, it's well established that the Galaxy S26 Ultra's vertical camera arrangement is on its way out. Samsung is bringing back the horizontal camera bar from the 2019 Galaxy S10, though some might feel the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Google Pixel 11 were the main inspirations.
In any case, edge-to-edge camera strips are in vogue, and most sources claim the Galaxy S27 Ultra has settled on this design. However, a new leak has sown seeds of confusion.
The curious case of the missing component
The most detailed Galaxy S27 Ultra case so far. | Image by Ice Universe
The Galaxy S26 Ultra was announced in late February, and if Samsung follows its typical cadence, the S27 Ultra isn't that far off. Accessory makers appear to have started their preparations, but they seem just as in the dark as the rest of us.
Leaker Ice Universe says four different Galaxy S27 Ultra cases popped up recently, each with a slightly different design. While all four hint at a horizontal camera bar, they aren't exactly helpful when it comes to sensor placement.
The most detailed case shows two large cutouts on the left for the main and ultra-wide cameras, and two adjacent cutouts for the telephoto and LED flash units. It completely overlooks the Laser Autofocus (AF) sensor.
What's Samsung up to?
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Winging it?
These missing details suggest case makers are just shooting in the dark. Even so, they raise questions about where the Laser AF sensor will end up.
Earlier renders suggested the component would be housed in the second pill. Samsung is unlikely to ditch autofocus, but the implementation on the S27 Ultra might differ enough to explain the missing cutout.
Get used to the design
What this flood of cases seems to confirm, however, is that the contentious new design has been finalized. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. It will make the Galaxy S27 Ultra stand out from virtually every other Samsung phone on the market.
Finally, an upgrade
While the Galaxy S26 Ultra is an excellent phone, its aging aesthetics, familiar camera features, and 5,000mAh battery were getting long in the tooth. Samsung is shaking things up this year.
You may not like the revamped back panel, but at least it looks different.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung's first-ever passport-style device, offering a unique approach to the foldable experience. Right now, you can get the device with a maximum trade-in discount of up to $800. Alternatively, you can get it with a $250 Samsung Instant Savings, no trade-in required.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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