Check Out This Boxy Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung Didn’t Make

Samsung’s Ultra flagships were once defined by sharp edges and a distinctly boxy silhouette. Over time, though, the company has been softening that look in favor of rounder corners and smoother lines. The change is part of a broader effort to unify the Galaxy design language and improve ergonomics. The upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra continues that shift with noticeably rounder corners than the S25 Ultra.

But what if Samsung had chosen a different path? A recent set of renders shared by noted tipster Ice Universe imagines what the Galaxy S26 Ultra could look like if it retained the S25 Ultra’s boxier frame. “If Samsung continues to adhere to its distinctive and differentiated design, the current Galaxy S26 Ultra should look like this,” they posted on X, with the following image. “Unfortunately, there is no ‘if.'”

The real Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t look like this

What we’re seeing isn’t a leak of the final device. Instead, it’s a glimpse of what the S26 Ultra could have looked like if Samsung had stayed true to its classic Ultra design philosophy inherited from the now-discontinued Note lineup. Sharp corners, flat edges, and a bold, industrial silhouette made the devices instantly recognizable.

That design wasn’t just aesthetic; it reinforced the Ultra’s identity as the no-compromise, productivity-first flagship. Unfortunately for fans of that design language, Samsung is moving in a different direction. If leaks are accurate, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have a rounder, more unified design that aligns more closely with the rest of the lineup. Not as rounded as the standard models, but it will lose some of its sharp edges and boxy character.

Samsung is also on its way to dropping the S Pen from the Ultra lineup. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s built-in S Pen doesn’t have Bluetooth functions, and the S26 Ultra is unlikely to reinstate them. Going forward, the company may completely remove the built-in S Pen, instead offering it as an optional, external accessory for those who want it. Samsung ended S Pen support for foldables this year.