After Apple’s controversial redesign for the iPhone 17 series, it’s apparently time for Samsung to follow suit. The Galaxy S26 series’ redesigns have already been leaked before as renders, but now there is an actual image of new components, confirming that Samsung’s flagships next year will be, in my opinion, quite an eyesore.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is, in my eyes, the worst of the bunch. The Galaxy S25 Ultra makes the Galaxy S26 Ultra look ancient, especially due to the camera bump. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Pro — as the base model is apparently being called — is similar to the Ultra, albeit a bit smaller. It’s only the Galaxy S26 Edge that looks somewhat decent, to me at least, and it’s awfully similar to the new iPhone 17 Pro.
It seems that the Galaxy S26 phones next year will, quite unfortunately, look very outdated compared to their predecessors, and even current alternatives from other manufacturers.
What do you think of the Galaxy S26 series?
I think they look great
20.65%
It's a pretty mixed bag
36.96%
I think they look terrible
42.39%
I was already not a fan of the Galaxy S25 Ultra redesign — which ditched Samsung’s iconic boxy look — but the S26 series is even worse. At least the S25 Ultra still looks like a modern phone, the S26 Ultra does not.
Samsung Galaxy S26 series rear camera module shape. | Image credit — Ice Universe
Of course, I won’t deny that looks are subjective. So, if the Galaxy S26 phones look fine to you, then there are actually quite a few reasons to upgrade to them next year. Especially if you’re rocking a phone older than the S25 or the Galaxy S24 series.
For starters, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will use the extremely powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset globally, regardless of region. The Galaxy S26 Edge, and the Galaxy S26 Pro, will return to the hybrid Snapdragon and Exynos variants strategy for different markets.
More importantly, however, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is seeing a camera upgrade at last. No, not a newer and better sensor, but at least a significantly wider aperture. That is what the new camera bump is for, apparently, according to a few reports that have emerged.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra might not really wow people, but it’ll take better photos. And, if you’re like me and think that the iPhone 17 Pro looks great, but you want to stick with Android, then the Galaxy S26 Edge will be the phone for you.
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Abdullah loves smartphones, Virtual Reality, and audio gear. Though he covers a wide range of news his favorite is always when he gets to talk about the newest VR venture or when Apple sets the industry ablaze with another phenomenal release.
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