Samsung is reportedly set to completely revamp the camera design for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Instead of the familiar horizontal, Pixel-style camera bar, the manufacturer will reportedly adopt a camera module, similar to the one seen on the iPhone 17 Pro, according to a recent leak. The source of this information is the well-known leaker Ice Universe, who published a sketch of the allegedly final design on August 23, 2026. However, there’s a catch to this redesign: to achieve the new look, the Ultra model will apparently lose one lens.
The most important points at a glance:
- New design: Camera module instead of a camera bar, inspired by the look of the iPhone 17 Pro
- Camera redesign: The 10-megapixel telephoto lens is being removed, reducing the number of lenses from four to three
- Battery: Silicon-carbon technology for the first time, with approximately 5,700 mAh
- Advantages of the platform: more stability on a table, more space for Qi2 magnets
- Release: Spring 2027 at the earliest; price expected to start at around 1,450 euros
Camera platform instead of a camera bar: That’s what’s new about the design
Ice Universe initially posted his sketch on X and Weibo without immediately linking it to a specific device. In a later post, he then confirmed the connection to the Galaxy S27 Ultra and asked his followers if they liked the new design. The sketch has since been turned into the first AI-generated renders, which show what the finished case might look like.
I can’t say anything. pic.twitter.com/RmzMoPem12
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) August 22, 2026
The most striking feature: The cameras are no longer housed in a continuous bar but sit on a raised, flat surface, similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. Compared to the current Galaxy S26 Ultra, this is said to offer two practical advantages. The phone sits more stably on a table because the platform provides a larger contact surface than the narrow bar. And there’s more space around the cameras for magnets that automatically align magnetic Qi2 accessories such as stands or power banks. According to reports, Samsung is even considering integrating the magnets directly into the device’s body rather than adding them via a case.
Whether this will go over well with fans is another question. The similarity to the iPhone is likely to draw predictable criticism for Samsung, especially since the manufacturer has marketed its camera design in recent years precisely as a way to differentiate itself from Apple.
Fewer Lenses, More Zoom: The Camera Changes in Detail
While Ice Universe’s leak focuses primarily on the external design, other insider reports regarding the technical specifications are circulating in parallel. According to these reports, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will lose its 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x zoom. This would turn the S26 Ultra’s current quad-camera setup into a triple-camera system. To compensate, the remaining 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom is expected to take on more tasks. In addition, a new manufacturing process called inkjet printing is expected to make the camera module thinner overall.
| Camera | Galaxy S26 Ultra (current) | Galaxy S27 Ultra (Rumor) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 200 MP | 200 MP |
| Ultra-wide-angle | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto (3x) | 10 MP | N/A |
| Periscope telephoto (5x) | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Number of Lenses | 4 | 3 |
Silicon-carbon battery: first capacity upgrade in years
There are expected to be more changes to the battery than there were with the last model update. According to Tom’s Guide, the Galaxy S27 Ultra would feature a silicon-carbon battery with approximately 5,700 mAh for the first time, after the Ultra series had long remained at around 5,000 mAh. This would mark the first real capacity upgrade since the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Samsung has already incorporated the technology into the Galaxy Z Fold 8, though that model still has a 5,000 mAh battery.
Release, Price, and Other Features
There’s no official announcement regarding the launch date yet, but insiders expect a release in spring 2027—likely in March—based on the release cycle of previous models. A price increase appears likely: Because Qualcomm has raised prices for its Snapdragon chips, the S27 Ultra could end up with a starting price of at least 1,450 euros—more expensive than the S26 Ultra’s $1,299.
As for the rest of the specs, the following key details have emerged so far: a 6.9-inch LTPO OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, 12 to 16 GB of RAM, and storage options ranging from 256 GB to 1 TB. None of this has been confirmed yet; all information is based on rumors and is subject to change before the official unveiling.
How reliable is the leak?
Ice Universe is one of the leakers with a solid track record when it comes to Samsung news, but has also been wrong in the past. Furthermore, the current design isn’t the first sketch circulating about the Galaxy S27 Ultra: earlier leaks showed a version with the familiar camera bar. So the design could still change somewhat before the official unveiling, even though Ice Universe describes his current design as final.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Galaxy S27 Ultra
When is the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra coming out?
As things stand, insiders expect a launch in spring 2027, likely in March, following the same schedule as previous models.
How much will the Galaxy S27 Ultra cost?
The starting price is expected to be at least 1,450 euros, which is higher than that of its predecessor—in part because Qualcomm has raised the prices for its chips.
Will the Galaxy S27 Ultra have fewer cameras?
Yes. According to rumors, Samsung is removing the 10-megapixel telephoto lens and will instead feature a triple-camera setup—rather than a quad-camera setup—with a 200-MP main sensor, a 50-MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50-MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x zoom.
Conclusion
The Galaxy S27 Ultra appears to be undergoing its biggest camera overhaul in years: fewer lenses, but a new plateau design and practical advantages when it comes to accessories. Whether customers will appreciate the shift to an iPhone-like look remains to be seen after the unveiling, which is scheduled for spring 2027 at the earliest. Until then, there’s plenty of time to make the most of the current model.
