A fresh batch of leaked CAD renders is giving us our clearest look yet at the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra, and the redesign is bigger than expected. Weekend leaks from @OnLeaks and Android Headlines detail a reshaped camera housing, tweaked dimensions, and a possible price hike that has phone fans arguing online. Here is what is really changing, what is staying the same, and how much you might end up paying for Samsung’s next flagship.
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Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Design Leak: What’s Changing
The most striking change in the new Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra design leak is the camera housing. CAD-based renders shared by @OnLeaks and Android Headlines, and detailed in 9to5Google’s report, show a camera plateau that looks noticeably different from the vertical island Samsung has used on every Ultra model since the Galaxy S22 Ultra, trading it for a wider, flatter housing that echoes the layout Apple used on the iPhone 16 series.
Despite the new look up front, Samsung appears to be keeping a few signature details in place. According to SamMobile, the Galaxy S27 Ultra reportedly holds onto the same S Pen holster and bottom-left speaker placement the Ultra line has used since the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, a layout Samsung is apparently changing on the standard Galaxy S27, S27+, and S27 Pro models instead.
How Big Is the Galaxy S27 Ultra, Really?
Don’t expect the redesign to make the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra feel like a different-sized phone in your hand. Leaked dimensions put the new model at roughly 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm, just a hair larger in every direction than the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9mm frame and its 6.9-inch display. The redesigned camera housing is the real outlier, reportedly bumping out to about 12.53mm, a noticeably thicker camera bump than Samsung Ultra fans are used to.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Camera: A Surprising Downgrade?
Here’s the part that’s dividing opinion: leaks suggest the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra camera setup is actually losing a lens. Early renders point to the Ultra dropping one of its telephoto cameras compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a rare move for a Samsung flagship that has spent years adding hardware rather than removing it. It’s a debate that echoes what we saw with the Google Pixel 11 reviews, where critics also argued over whether fewer, better sensors beat a longer spec sheet.
Losing a camera doesn’t automatically mean losing quality, though. Camera downgrades on paper have occasionally translated into better real-world photos when the remaining sensors are larger or paired with smarter processing, so the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s final camera performance will likely come down to how Samsung’s computational photography holds up rather than the specs sheet alone.
What Chip Will Power the Galaxy S27 Ultra?
Camera aside, the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to get a meaningful performance boost under the hood. According to SamMobile, the Ultra and the Galaxy S27 Pro are tipped to use Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chip, internally referred to as the SM8975, which is rumored to be built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm process node for better efficiency and graphics performance.
The standard Galaxy S27 and S27+ are expected to lean on Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2700 chip in most markets instead, continuing the split strategy Samsung has used in recent years. Leaks also point to a noticeably larger battery in the Galaxy S27 Ultra, though Samsung hasn’t confirmed an exact capacity yet.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Price: How Much Will It Cost?
The number generating the most buzz is the price. A post on X from leaker @phonefuturist claims the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra could start at $1,499, a $200 jump over the current Galaxy S26 Ultra’s starting price. 9to5Google is treating the figure with caution since the account’s track record is unproven, though a price increase wouldn’t be shocking given how many phone makers have raised prices this year, including the iPhone 17 price increase rumors we covered earlier today.
If the Galaxy S27 Ultra really does get more expensive, it would follow a familiar pattern across the industry. Rising chip and component costs, plus bigger batteries and new camera hardware, all tend to show up on the price tag eventually, whether the phone in question runs Android or iOS.
Galaxy S27 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: What’s Actually New
Stack the rumors side by side, and the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison looks like a phone that changes its face without changing its footprint. The overall size stays nearly identical, the S Pen and speaker layout stay put, and Qi2 magnetic charging is apparently still missing despite the redesign. What’s actually new comes down to the reshaped camera housing, one fewer telephoto lens, a faster chip, and a bigger battery.
That combination puts Samsung in a similar spot to other phone makers this year, including Google, whose own Pixel 11 price leak followed a similar script: keep the hardware people already like, change the parts that photograph well in marketing renders, and quietly ask for more money at checkout.
When Will the Galaxy S27 Ultra Launch?
Samsung hasn’t confirmed a date, but reporting points to an early 2027 announcement for the full Galaxy S27 lineup, keeping the company’s recent habit of unveiling new Galaxy S phones in January or February. If that timeline holds, expect the first official teasers within the next few months as Samsung’s Unpacked planning ramps up.
Why This Galaxy S27 Ultra Leak Story Matters
Leaked renders are never a guarantee of what ships, but this round of Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra leaks lines up across multiple independent leakers, which usually means the final device won’t stray too far from what we’re seeing now. Between the redesigned camera housing, the possible price hike, and the chip upgrade, Samsung looks to be making its next Ultra a bigger story than usual well before it’s officially announced. We’ve been tracking similar early leaks across other device categories in our roundup of 2026 wearable tech leaks, and the pattern is the same: nothing is official until Samsung says so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leaked the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra’s design?
The latest CAD-based renders came from @OnLeaks in partnership with Android Headlines, with additional renders and dimension details corroborated by leaker Ice Universe and reported by SamMobile.
Will the Galaxy S27 Ultra really cost $1,499?
That figure comes from a single X post by leaker @phonefuturist and hasn’t been confirmed by Samsung or corroborated by other leakers, so it should be treated as an early, unverified rumor rather than a set price.
Is the Galaxy S27 Ultra getting a worse camera?
Leaks suggest the Ultra will drop one telephoto lens compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is a hardware reduction on paper, though final image quality will depend on the remaining sensors and Samsung’s processing rather than the camera count alone.
When will the Galaxy S27 Ultra be released?
Samsung hasn’t announced a date, but reporting points to an early 2027 unveiling, in line with the company’s recent pattern of launching new Galaxy S phones in January or February.
What chip will the Galaxy S27 Ultra use?
Leaks point to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 (SM8975), reportedly built on a 2nm process, though the standard Galaxy S27 and S27+ may use Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2700 chip instead.
