It appears Samsung intends to make a major change in the design of its next-generation flagships.
According to Eitna via Phonearena, the latest rumors about the Galaxy S27 Ultra point to the possible use of a horizontal camera module on the phone's rear; a change that could completely distinguish this phone’s appearance from the current generation, namely the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The rumor was strengthened after a mysterious design was published by the well-known leaker Ice Universe. The released image shows the phone's rear panel with a horizontal camera bar; a design that bears similarities to the camera module of some recent iPhone models. In this design, two cameras are placed vertically on the right side and an elongated section on the left is likely the location of the third camera and the flash.
In recent generations Samsung has remained faithful to vertical camera arrangements as part of the Galaxy series' design identity. Even one of Samsung's design directors previously described the Galaxy S26's design as “perfect” and cited the vertical camera arrangement as one of the core elements of the brand's identity. However, multiple reports indicate Samsung may change this approach in the S27 generation.
Of course, a horizontal camera design is not an entirely new idea for Samsung. The Galaxy S10 also used a horizontal camera module back in 2019. Besides the different appearance, changing the cameras' placement can also have practical advantages. The current module may not align properly with some Qi2 accessories and can also cause the phone to wobble slightly when placed on a table.
It is still unclear exactly which model in the S27 series this design is intended for. However, the Galaxy S27 Ultra is one of the most likely options; because using a different module could distinguish this model from other family members. It’s also possible Samsung will first test this design on the standard version or a possible S27 Pro model.
At present this information is not official and should be considered a rumor, but if Samsung does make such a change, the Galaxy S27 Ultra would have one of the most distinct Galaxy series designs in recent years.