Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra: 2027 Redesign Revealed
The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is shaping up to be one of Samsung’s most dramatic flagship redesigns in years. Newly leaked CAD-based renders provide a much clearer look at the phone, revealing a radically different rear camera design while keeping much of the familiar Ultra formula intact.
The renders, reportedly based on CAD files obtained by well-known leaker OnLeaks and published with Android Headlines, show Samsung moving away from the individual camera arrangement used on recent Galaxy Ultra phones. Instead, the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra appears to feature a large horizontal camera plateau across the upper section of its rear panel.
That change alone could make the next Ultra one of Samsung’s most visually distinctive smartphones in years. However, it also creates an immediate comparison with Apple’s recent iPhone Pro designs.
The phone is still months away from an expected 2027 launch, meaning specifications, pricing and even some design details could change. For now, though, the leaked renders offer a compelling preview of Samsung’s apparent direction.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Gets a Radical Camera Redesign
The biggest story surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is undoubtedly its rear camera system.
For several generations, Samsung has used a recognizable design featuring individual camera rings arranged vertically on the back of its Ultra phones. The new renders appear to abandon that approach completely.
Instead, the upcoming flagship is shown with a raised horizontal camera plateau. The module stretches across a significant portion of the upper rear panel, giving the phone a look that is substantially different from the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The new arrangement reportedly houses three rear cameras, with two prominent lenses positioned toward one side and another camera integrated into a pill-shaped section alongside additional hardware and the LED flash.
This could represent more than a cosmetic change. Samsung may be using the additional space to accommodate redesigned camera hardware, internal components and potentially a different approach to its zoom system.
The company has not officially confirmed these details, so the camera specifications should still be treated as rumors.
The Galaxy S27 Ultra Looks More Like an iPhone
One of the most controversial aspects of the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra redesign is its resemblance to Apple’s recent flagship phones.
The new horizontal camera plateau immediately invites comparisons with the iPhone 17 Pro lineup and other smartphones that have adopted broad rear camera islands.
Samsung has historically maintained a distinctive visual identity for its premium Galaxy S series. That makes the apparent move toward a large camera island particularly notable.
Interestingly, the redesign also comes shortly after Samsung emphasized the importance of its existing vertical camera language. The new design therefore represents a significant departure from the company’s recent approach.
Still, the design itself is not necessarily an indication that Samsung is simply copying Apple. Wide camera platforms have appeared on smartphones from several manufacturers, and a larger unified camera area can have practical engineering advantages.
For Samsung, the redesign could provide more flexibility when positioning cameras, antennas, magnets, cooling components and other internal hardware.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Could Lose a Telephoto Camera
The camera redesign may also reflect a major change in the actual camera system.
Several reports suggest that Samsung could remove the dedicated 10MP 3x telephoto camera that has been part of the Ultra formula. In its place, the company may rely on a different zoom strategy, potentially centered around a higher-resolution 5x telephoto camera.
That would be an important change for Galaxy photography.
The current approach gives Ultra users multiple dedicated focal lengths. Removing one of those cameras could appear like a downgrade on paper. However, a higher-resolution sensor could potentially provide greater flexibility through cropping and computational photography.
Samsung could therefore be attempting to simplify the hardware while improving the quality of the remaining zoom system.
There are also reports suggesting that the primary camera could receive a new-generation sensor. Other leaks have pointed toward a larger sensor and improvements designed to enhance dynamic range and image quality. These details remain unconfirmed, however.
Dimensions May Stay Almost the Same
Despite the major visual overhaul, the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra may not be dramatically different in overall size.
The leaked CAD measurements reportedly show dimensions of approximately 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm. For comparison, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is reported at around 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9mm.
That means Samsung could be changing the appearance of the phone without significantly changing its footprint.
The camera module itself is reportedly much thicker, though. One report places the camera bump at approximately 12.53mm, which would make it considerably more noticeable than the main body of the device.
This could become one of the practical trade-offs of the new design.
A larger camera plateau may allow Samsung to install more sophisticated hardware, but it could also make the phone less comfortable when placed flat on a table.
The S Pen Is Still Here
Despite all the changes, Samsung does not appear to be abandoning one of the most recognizable features of the Ultra lineup.
The leaked renders show the S Pen still integrated into the phone.
That will be reassuring for users who consider the stylus an essential part of the Galaxy Ultra experience.
Samsung has gradually positioned the Ultra as the productivity-focused member of the Galaxy S family. Keeping the S Pen would allow the S27 Ultra to maintain that distinction even as its exterior changes.
The leaked renders also suggest that the overall front design will remain relatively familiar, with a large display and centered punch-hole selfie camera.
In other words, Samsung appears to be concentrating its most dramatic visual changes on the back of the phone rather than completely reinventing the device.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Could Get a Larger Battery
Another potentially important upgrade is hidden inside the phone.
Reports suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra could feature a battery around 5,700mAh, which would represent a meaningful increase over the current generation.
A larger battery could help Samsung address one of the most important concerns among flagship smartphone buyers: endurance.
The extra capacity would be particularly useful if Samsung pairs it with a more powerful next-generation processor. Newer chipsets can deliver higher performance, but sustained performance and AI workloads can also place greater demands on battery life.
The company could therefore be attempting to balance performance improvements with longer real-world usage.
Other reports have also suggested support for faster wired charging, potentially reaching 60W, although those specifications have not been officially confirmed.
Performance Could Be a Major Upgrade
The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to arrive with a new generation of flagship silicon.
Current reports point toward Qualcomm’s next high-end Snapdragon platform, with some leaks specifically mentioning the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.
If accurate, the processor could deliver substantial improvements in CPU and GPU performance while also increasing the phone’s capabilities for on-device artificial intelligence.
Samsung is also expected to increase the importance of AI processing across its future Galaxy devices. Faster storage, more powerful processors and improved memory bandwidth could allow the phone to handle increasingly complex AI functions directly on the device.
That could include faster generative AI features, image processing and other computational photography tasks.
However, exact processor specifications will need to wait for official announcements.
A Possible $1,499 Price Tag Raises Questions
The biggest concern for potential buyers may not be the redesign. It could be the price.
A report cited by 9to5Google suggests that an online claim has placed the starting price of the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra at around $1,499. That would represent a $200 increase compared with the reported starting price of the current Galaxy S26 Ultra.
There is an important caveat: the pricing claim comes from an account whose track record is uncertain.
Therefore, consumers should not treat $1,499 as confirmed pricing.
If Samsung ultimately does increase the price by $200, the company would need to justify the change with meaningful hardware improvements.
A redesigned camera system, larger battery, faster processor and upgraded internal hardware could help make that argument. But consumers may still question whether the improvements justify a substantially higher entry price.
Pricing will likely become one of the most closely watched Galaxy S27 Ultra rumors as the launch approaches.
When Could the Galaxy S27 Ultra Launch?
Samsung has not announced an official release date for the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra.
Current reports point toward an early 2027 launch. Some leaks suggest the Galaxy S27 family could arrive before Mobile World Congress, potentially in February 2027, although other reports have mentioned an earlier January timeframe.
That means there is still considerable time between these leaks and the final product announcement.
Samsung could make adjustments before mass production, particularly if feedback surrounding the camera design becomes overwhelmingly negative.
Nevertheless, the appearance of detailed CAD renders suggests that development has progressed considerably.
Why the Redesign Matters
The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra redesign could ultimately prove to be more important than a simple cosmetic refresh.
Samsung is entering a period in which flagship smartphones are becoming increasingly similar in terms of core specifications. High-resolution displays, advanced cameras, powerful processors and AI features are now standard across premium devices.
Design therefore becomes one of the most visible ways for manufacturers to differentiate themselves.
Samsung’s decision to replace its familiar camera layout could be an attempt to make the Ultra series feel fresh again.
The company may also be using the redesigned internal architecture to make room for larger batteries, improved cameras and new connectivity features.
That makes the camera plateau potentially more than an aesthetic choice.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra: What to Expect
Based on the current leaks, the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra could deliver a combination of major upgrades and controversial changes.
The most noticeable difference will likely be the rear camera plateau. Samsung appears ready to abandon its familiar individual camera design in favor of a broad horizontal module.
The phone may also feature:
- A redesigned rear camera system
- Three rear cameras instead of four
- A possible 50MP 5x telephoto camera
- A larger 5,700mAh battery
- A next-generation Snapdragon flagship processor
- Up to 12GB or 16GB of RAM depending on configuration
- Continued S Pen support
- A large Ultra-class display
- Faster wired charging
- A possible starting price around $1,499
Not every item on that list is confirmed, and some specifications could change before launch.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is already generating attention because Samsung appears ready to take a major risk with its flagship design.
The leaked CAD renders show a phone that retains the familiar Ultra shape and S Pen while completely rethinking the rear camera area. That could make the S27 Ultra immediately recognizable, but it also means Samsung will face inevitable comparisons with Apple’s iPhone Pro lineup.
If the rumored camera improvements, larger battery and next-generation processor all arrive together, the redesign could represent a meaningful upgrade rather than a simple visual refresh.
The rumored price increase, however, could make the decision considerably harder for buyers.
For now, the most important thing to remember is that these are leaked renders and rumored specifications, not Samsung-confirmed details. The final Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra could still differ before its official launch.
But if these renders are accurate, Samsung is preparing something much more ambitious than another familiar Ultra refresh — and 2027 could bring one of the biggest Galaxy design changes in years.
