The Galaxy S27 Ultra could mark a significant departure from Samsung’s established look, with fresh speculation pointing to a redesigned camera arrangement. A reliable leaker recently shared a cryptic sketch that may offer an early glimpse of the revamped module, reigniting months of rumours surrounding a horizontal camera bar for the next flagship series.
The sketch depicts a rear panel with a camera bar reminiscent of the iPhone 17 Pro. It features two vertically stacked cameras on the right and an elongated island on the left, likely housing a third camera and a flash unit. While the device was not explicitly named, the tipster predominantly covers Samsung news, suggesting the design belongs to a forthcoming Galaxy handset.
A shift away from the vertical camera bar
Horizontally arranged camera bars have long been a hallmark of Pixel phones, and Apple adopted a similar approach last year while retaining its established camera placement. Earlier, the vice president of design for Samsung’s Mobile eXperience unit described the Galaxy S26 design as “perfect”, stressing that vertically arranged cameras were a core part of the brand’s identity.
Despite that stance, the company now appears prepared to move towards a more contemporary style. Numerous reports have indicated the current design is on its way out, although not everyone is in agreement. A patent filing showing a horizontal module for a future device was also spotted recently.
Samsung is not necessarily following the crowd. There are limited ways to position cameras on a phone, and the 2019 Galaxy S10 already featured a horizontal camera bar. The existing setup also prevents Qi2 accessories from aligning correctly, and many users dislike the wobble it causes when devices are placed on flat surfaces.
Which model will get the new look first?
Should Samsung commit to the change, it may not introduce it across the entire range simultaneously. The S27 Ultra stands out as a likely candidate, mirroring Apple’s strategy with the iPhone 17 Pro. Since all Samsung phones currently use a vertical bar, reserving the horizontal design for the Ultra would help it distinguish itself within the line-up.
Alternatively, Samsung could take a more cautious route by starting with the standard model, or potentially the rumoured Galaxy S27 Pro. The successor to the S25 Edge was expected to arrive with the design shown in the sketch, but that device has not been revealed so far.
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Image: phonearena.com
