Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra Could Revolutionize Smartphone Design with Rounded Corners

A Well-Known Insider's Revelation

A well-known Samsung insider known as UniverseIce on X claims that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature rounder corners than its predecessors. This signals a potential design shift that many fans have long awaited for Samsung's top-tier non-foldable flagship.

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Why the Design Has Been Rectangular

The Galaxy Ultra is Samsung's largest flagship smartphone and the only one with a built-in S Pen stylus. Historically, while standard Galaxy S models have rounder corners similar to iPhones, the Ultras have maintained rectangular corners or minimal curvatures. This design compromise stems from the internal placement of the stylus next to one of the sides, necessitating flat bottom and top edges for symmetry.

These sharp corners made devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra uncomfortable to hold. Samsung addressed this partially with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which has slightly rounder corners, but not to the extent of other models. If UniverseIce's information is accurate—backed by a history of reliable leaks—the S26 Ultra could see a significant curvature increase.

The Stylus Dilemma

Removing the S Pen is the simplest way to achieve rounder corners, but this could upset long-time users who value the stylus. Alternatively, Samsung might redesign the stylus system to maintain functionality without compromising comfort.

Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra Feature a Built-in Stylus?

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Recent rumors suggest Samsung is exploring major changes to the S Pen. In June, reports indicated that removing the stylus could allow for a larger battery in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with the S Pen sold separately as an accessory. Another leak proposed removing the digitizer to incorporate Qi2 magnets for enhanced wireless charging, similar to the Pixel 10 series, which would require a stylus that doesn't rely on a digitizer.

However, a July leak countered this, stating that Samsung was unsatisfied with S Pen performance without the digitizer and might retain the display layer to support stylus functionality. These conflicting reports point to Samsung testing various prototypes before finalizing the design for the expected early 2026 release.