Samsung appears to be planning another significant design shift for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with new reports suggesting the flagship will feature even more rounded corners than its predecessor. While this move could modernize the device’s appearance, it raises serious questions about the future of the S Pen functionality that has become synonymous with the Ultra lineup.
From Boxy to Rounded: Samsung’s Design Evolution
The Galaxy S series has undergone a notable design transformation over the past few years. For over a decade, from the original Galaxy S through the S21 Ultra, Samsung maintained a consistent design language characterized by rounded corners that became the signature look of S-series devices.
This changed dramatically with the S22 Ultra in 2022, when Samsung merged the Galaxy Note and S series into a single flagship. The result was a more angular, Note-inspired design that emphasized the device’s productivity credentials. Samsung maintained this boxier aesthetic for three consecutive generations before beginning to soften the approach with the S25 Ultra, which introduced slightly more rounded edges.
According to prominent leaker Ice Universe, the S26 Ultra will push this trend even further, featuring significantly more rounded corners. While the exact degree of curvature remains unknown, early speculation suggests the design could approach the rounded aesthetic of devices like the rumored S25 Edge.
The S Pen Dilemma
The move toward rounder corners isn’t just about aesthetics—it presents a genuine engineering challenge for Samsung. The Galaxy Note series always featured angular corners for a practical reason: they provided the ideal housing for the S Pen. The stylus sits in the corner of the device, and the boxy design allows it to fit flush against the phone’s edge.
The S25 Ultra already demonstrates this problem. Its slightly rounded corners cause the S Pen to protrude slightly from the device, creating an uneven profile that affects both the phone’s appearance and feel. A more dramatically curved design on the S26 Ultra would only exacerbate this issue, potentially making the S Pen stick out even further.
Potential Solutions
Samsung has several options to address this design challenge. The most elegant solution would be to redesign the S Pen itself, curving the tip to match the phone’s new contours. This approach has precedent—Samsung used a similar curved design for the Galaxy Note 2’s S Pen, proving that such modifications are technically feasible.
Alternatively, Samsung could relocate the S Pen slot further inward on the device, though this would sacrifice valuable internal space that could otherwise be used for battery capacity or other components.
The worst-case scenario—removing the S Pen slot entirely—seems highly unlikely given the feature’s importance to the Ultra brand identity. Such a move would likely generate significant backlash from the productivity-focused user base that gravitates toward Ultra devices specifically for their S Pen capabilities.
What We Know So Far
Current information about the S26 Ultra’s design comes primarily from early leaks and speculation. More concrete details typically emerge in September, when Computer-Aided Design (CAD) renders begin circulating. Last year’s S25 Ultra renders appeared on September 10th, suggesting we could see detailed S26 Ultra images within the coming weeks.
Beyond the rounded corners, the S26 Ultra is expected to feature a thinner profile and a potentially redesigned camera module. These changes, combined with the new corner design, could represent one of the most significant aesthetic updates in recent Galaxy history.
AI Enhancements: Gemini Live Gets Smarter
While design changes grab headlines, Samsung continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence features for its flagship devices. The S26 Ultra is expected to showcase significant improvements to Google’s Gemini AI assistant, which has become a cornerstone of Samsung’s AI strategy.
The most notable upgrade involves Gemini Live’s user interface. Currently, activating Gemini Live takes over the entire screen, disrupting the user’s workflow. However, recent code analysis suggests Google is testing a floating interface that would allow Gemini to appear as compact overlay cards while keeping other apps visible and functional.
This enhancement promises to make AI assistance far less disruptive, enabling users to access Gemini’s capabilities while continuing to use Maps, Calendar, or other applications. The feature is expected to roll out in the coming weeks, well before the S26 Ultra’s launch.
Additional Gemini improvements include more natural conversation abilities, with the AI adjusting its tone based on context—using calmer tones for stressful topics and allowing users to control speaking speed. For entertainment purposes, Gemini will also be able to adopt different accents or mimic historical figures when telling stories.
Looking Ahead
The Galaxy S26 Ultra represents Samsung’s continued evolution of its flagship formula. While the move toward rounder corners may prove controversial among users who prefer the current angular aesthetic, it demonstrates Samsung’s willingness to take design risks in an increasingly homogeneous smartphone market.
The success of these changes will ultimately depend on Samsung’s execution, particularly regarding the S Pen integration challenges. If the company can maintain the stylus functionality while achieving a more modern design language, the S26 Ultra could set a new standard for flagship smartphones.
As we await more concrete details in the coming months, one thing remains clear: Samsung isn’t content to rest on the current Ultra formula. Whether these changes represent progress or regression will be determined by both user reception and the practical implementation of these ambitious design goals.
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