According to SamMobile, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be embracing even rounder corners than the current S25 Ultra model based on leaked screen protector images. The upcoming 2026 flagship seems to be continuing the design shift away from the boxy aesthetic that defined the 2022-2024 Ultra models. Interestingly, the corner radius looks similar to the old Galaxy S21 Ultra from 2021, but with a crucial difference – the S26 Ultra is expected to maintain a completely flat display rather than curved edges. This suggests Samsung is trying to blend comfort-oriented rounded corners with practical flat screen benefits. Early leaks also hint that the S Pen might get a curved clicker button to match the phone’s frame curvature better. The Galaxy S26 series should officially debut in early 2026.
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The pendulum swings back
Here’s the thing about smartphone design – it’s never a straight line. Samsung basically went from rounded corners on the S20 and S21 Ultras to aggressively sharp, boxy designs for three generations, and now they’re swinging back toward softer edges. It’s the classic tech industry pendulum effect. Companies chase differentiation until they realize maybe the old way wasn’t so bad after all.
What’s fascinating is that they’re not just copying the old rounded design outright. The S21 Ultra had curved screen edges that many users found frustrating for accidental touches and difficult screen protector installation. By keeping the display surface flat while rounding the corners, Samsung might actually be creating the best of both worlds. You get the comfort in hand and pocket that rounded corners provide, plus the practical benefits of a flat screen for the S Pen and durability.
Why this actually matters
But let’s be real – how much difference do slightly rounder corners actually make? For daily use, probably not a ton. However, there are real practical implications. Sharper corners dig into your palm during one-handed use. They create pressure points in pockets. And they generally make a large phone like the Ultra feel even more massive than it already is.
The S Pen positioning detail is actually more interesting than it sounds. If they’re curving the clicker button to match the frame, that suggests Samsung is taking the rounded design seriously enough to modify internal components. That’s not just a superficial change – it represents actual engineering reconsideration. Though honestly, how many people actually use the S Pen clicker button regularly?
Should we trust this leak?
Now, a healthy dose of skepticism is always warranted with these early leaks. We’re looking at a third-party screen protector shared on X, not official CAD files or factory molds. The bezel widths and exact dimensions could be off. But the overall corner shape? That’s usually pretty reliable from quality screen protector leaks.
Remember that smartphone design gets locked in many months before launch, so accessory manufacturers often get early specs to prepare their products. Still, things can change between now and early 2026. Samsung might tweak the design based on internal testing or manufacturing considerations.
Basically, the trend seems clear – Samsung is moving away from the sharp, industrial look that defined recent Ultras. Whether that’s good or bad depends on your personal taste, but it’s definitely a return to the series’ original identity rather than a departure from it.
