Just days after leaked renders of the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra surfaced online, a community poll on tech site PhoneArena quickly highlighted disappointment among users. Out of 855 votes, more than 42% felt Samsung “could have done better” in its approach to design.

Minor changes fail to impress

According to leaks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t feature a radical redesign. The most noticeable adjustment appears to be slightly more rounded corners, creating a softer aesthetic compared to the previous generation. Display bezels may shrink slightly, and the S Pen slot could shift closer to the device’s edge.

While subtle, these refinements haven’t impressed fans who expect more from Samsung’s top-tier series. Many hoped for bold innovation that would visually distinguish the S26 from its predecessors - especially given the growing design uniformity across the smartphone market.

Camera design: an old idea revived

One of the few rumored features generating excitement is the possible return of a “camera island” layout on the rear - a design Samsung used on the Galaxy S21 before moving to the now-familiar floating-lens arrangement. Prominent leaker Ice Universe claims to have seen internal components and described the new Ultra as “more refined and premium,” particularly with the removal of the polarizing “vinyl disc” style camera rings.

Still, the camera setup is said to protrude and sit asymmetrically on the device’s back - a layout that may cause the phone to wobble when laid flat. This issue has plagued several recent smartphones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Xiaomi 15, and iPhone 14 series.

To be fair, most users don’t interact with their phones flat on a table, and a well-fitted protective case often eliminates the wobble. But for users who prefer going “caseless” and frequently type on their phones while they rest on a surface, the protruding camera bump may prove annoying.

A symptom of a maturing market?

Looking back, the smartphone industry once thrived on bold design experiments. From Samsung’s Galaxy Round with its curved display to LG’s G Flex with a bent body, manufacturers routinely pushed the envelope.

Today, such experimental aesthetics are rare. As the market matures, brands are shifting focus from external design to internal specs - chipsets, cameras, battery life, and AI integration. As a result, most new phones look strikingly similar to their predecessors, with only incremental design updates.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra seems to follow this trend. The rumored design tweaks - rounded corners and a potential return to the camera island - are hardly revolutionary. And while performance, photography, and AI features will likely see major upgrades, visual distinctiveness remains lacking.

A risk of losing identity

Despite its importance, design is often treated as secondary in modern smartphones. Yet it remains a critical part of brand identity and emotional appeal. If manufacturers continue to downplay design, the risk is clear: phones may become indistinguishable, regardless of brand or price point.

As the leading name in Android smartphones, Samsung has the influence and resources to set trends - not just follow them. But with the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra, it seems the company is opting for caution.

In an increasingly competitive landscape where users demand both inner power and outer allure, is cautious refinement still enough? Or is it time for Samsung to take design risks once more?

Hai Phong