Unpopular opinion: if the leaks are correct, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will finally look like it belongs

In a bit of a classic "oops" moment, Samsung appears to have leaked the design of its next-generation flagship phones within its own software. Code buried inside the One UI 8.5 update contains renders corresponding to devices with the codenames M1, M2, and M3—which we know from previous reports refer to the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, respectively.

These images reportedly show that Samsung is ditching the mismatched aesthetics of previous years. Historically, the "Ultra" model has been the odd one out, often retaining the sharp corners and floating camera lenses of the defunct Galaxy Note line, while the standard S and Plus models adopted softer curves and dedicated camera islands.

According to these new renders, that era is over. The Galaxy S26 Ultra now sports a vertical camera island that mirrors its smaller siblings, just with a few extra sensors tucked to the side. It’s a subtle shift, but it signifies a major philosophy change: the entire S26 family finally looks like it belongs to the same parents.

Design consistency is a tricky beast in the smartphone world. On one hand, you want your $1,200 "Ultra" phone to stand out from the $300 budget option. On the other, you want a recognizable "face" for your brand that anyone can spot from across the room.

For years, Samsung’s strategy felt a bit disjointed. You had the S24 and S24 Plus looking like one species, and the S24 Ultra looking like a distant cousin visiting from the Note dimension. By unifying the camera island design across the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, Samsung is taking a page out of the Apple and Google playbooks—but with its own twist.

Competitors like Apple have long maintained a shared design language. Even though the iPhone 17 Pro has a massive "camera plateau" compared to the standard model's smaller bump, they are undeniably cut from the same cloth. Google does similar work with the Pixel 10 series, where the signature camera bar (or visor) makes a Pixel instantly a Pixel, whether it's the Pro or the budget 9a.

The risk here, of course, is the "Galaxy A-ification" of the flagship line. If the S26 Ultra looks too much like a Galaxy A55, does it lose its premium allure? That's the fear driving the negative reactions to this leak. However, the flip side is stronger brand equity. When every phone you sell shares a distinct look, you build a visual identity that is stronger than any single model’s spec sheet.

This might be an unpopular opinion, especially among hardcore enthusiasts who loved the unique "Note" look of the Ultra, but I really dig this change. I’ve always found it a bit messy when a manufacturer’s flagship lineup looks like a hodgepodge of different design teams’ homework.

There is something satisfying about a product family that actually looks like a family. When you place the S26, Plus, and Ultra side-by-side, they should look like small, medium, and large versions of the same vision, not three strangers sharing a shelf. This unified vertical island design brings a cleanliness to the lineup that has been missing.

Sure, I get the complaint that it might make the Ultra feel less "special" or distinct. But distinctiveness shouldn't come from looking completely unrelated to the rest of the brand. Distinctiveness should come from build materials, screen tech, and the raw capability of the device. If the S26 Ultra is made of titanium and glass while the A-series uses plastic, you’re going to feel the difference the second you pick it up, regardless of the camera shape.

Ultimately, a cohesive design language signals confidence. It says, "This is what a Samsung phone looks like." And frankly, after years of the Ultra feeling like a lingering ghost of the Note series, it’s about time it fully joined the Galaxy S family.