Galaxy S27 Ultra renders hint at bold Samsung redesign, but distinctiveness concerns emerge
Leaked renders of the Galaxy S27 Ultra show Samsung's first major camera design overhaul in years, drawing mixed reactions over lost brand identity.
The renders, published by Android Headlines and renowned leaker OnLeaks, show the S27 Ultra featuring a redesigned camera module. Instead of the three separate camera rings seen on previous models, the new design places the cameras within a raised section underneath, with two cameras grouped together and a third housed in a longer, pill-shaped section alongside the flash. This layout bears a visual resemblance to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and OPPO Find X9 Pro, according to the report.
Android Authority's editor, who has long criticized Samsung for recycling the same design language across generations, expressed appreciation for the change. The editor noted that the larger camera section could provide more internal room for improved hardware, better cooling, or even proper magnetic charging support. However, the editor also acknowledged that the telephoto lens still appears relatively small in the renders, so major camera hardware upgrades are not guaranteed.
Despite the redesigned camera area, the rest of the S27 Ultra appears largely unchanged. The device retains its massive, boxy form, and from the front, it would likely be difficult to distinguish it from the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the editor wrote. The editor added that renders can only convey so much about how a phone actually feels, reserving final judgment until hands-on experience.
The report highlights a central conflict: while Samsung's design refresh makes the Ultra look new, it may also reduce the instantly recognizable Samsung identity. In markets where Chinese brands like OPPO and OnePlus are prevalent, the S27 Ultra could blend in with competitors, whereas in the US, where those brands do not officially sell, the design may still stand out.
The editor concluded that while they have wanted Samsung to change the Ultra for years and are genuinely excited about the possibility, they hope Samsung does not forget what made its devices distinctly Samsung. The S Pen reportedly remains, though the article did not elaborate further.