Galaxy S27 Ultra Leak: Two Sizes, Camera Redesign & Qi2 Magnetic Charging

Concept render of Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra showing redesigned horizontal camera bar with S Pen stylus

 Samsung is preparing a more radical Galaxy S27 Ultra than its recent flagships, according to claims from two of the most widely followed smartphone tipsters. A new post from Sonny Dickson dated 22 August 2026 says the phone will be offered in two different sizes, which would be a first for Samsung's Ultra line. Separately, leaker Ice Universe published renders showing a redesigned rear camera layout that abandons the vertical island Samsung has used for several generations.

The two reports landed within 24 hours of each other and reinforce the same broad picture: the S27 generation may involve structural changes rather than the incremental updates the S26 generation delivered, according to the tipsters. That is notable on its own, but it is important to be precise about what the new posts actually claim, what earlier reporting already suggested, and what Samsung has not confirmed.

Samsung typically unveils the Galaxy S flagship series in January or February, and the company has made no announcement about the S27 line. Everything below should be treated as reported rumor, not confirmed specification.

Here is what the new leaks say, how the design is described to differ from the S26 Ultra, and what still does not add up.

What the New Leaks Claim

According to ++PhoneArena's report++, the two central claims are:

  • Two Galaxy S27 Ultra sizes. Dickson says the Ultra will be available in two different sizes. The post does not specify screen dimensions, model numbers, or how the two variants would differ beyond size. Samsung has never sold two distinct Ultra-sized flagships in the same generation.
  • A horizontal camera bar. Ice Universe's renders show the main and wide-angle cameras stacked vertically inside a horizontal pill-shaped island that runs across the upper part of the phone. The 5x periscope telephoto sits in the same island alongside the flash. A separate 3x telephoto, present on the S26 Ultra, does not appear in the renders, though this is based on concept imagery rather than confirmed specifications. Dickson separately shared imagery that PhoneArena describes as backing up the revamped design.

Ice Universe also said, according to PhoneArena, that the standard Galaxy S27 and S27+ will retain the current vertical camera layout, meaning the redesign would be reserved for the high-end model.

The two tipsters have a mixed but generally strong track record. Ice Universe has a long history of accurate Samsung display and camera leaks. Dickson has reliably published iPhone design details in past years but has a thinner record on Samsung-specific information. It is not yet clear whether Dickson's imagery represents an independent corroboration of Ice Universe's design or shares the same underlying source; PhoneArena treats the two posts as mutually reinforcing, but readers should not assume fully independent verification. Neither claim has been confirmed by Samsung, by a regulatory filing, or by a supply-chain document.

Galaxy S27 Ultra vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra: What the Leaks Describe

The new renders from Ice Universe, and Sonny Dickson's separate post backing the redesign, point to several visible changes if the leaked design reaches production. Treat the table as a summary of reporting, not a confirmed specification sheet.

📱 Galaxy S26 Ultra (current) vs. Galaxy S27 Ultra (as described in leaks)
Area 📱 Galaxy S26 Ultra (current) 🔮 Galaxy S27 Ultra (as described in leaks) Evidence Level
📷 Rear camera layout Vertical camera island with four separate rings Horizontal pill-shaped bar across upper rear Ice Universe renders (22 Aug 2026); Sonny Dickson post (same date); secondary reports describing a WIPO design filing
📸 Camera count 4 rear cameras (main, ultrawide, 3x telephoto, 5x periscope) 3 rear cameras shown (main, ultrawide, 5x periscope); 3x lens does not appear and is reportedly under consideration for removal Ice Universe renders; ETNews report (via The Shortcut); Galaxy Club report (cited by PhoneArena)
📏 Available sizes One Ultra size (6.9-inch class) Two distinct sizes claimed ⚠️ Single Sonny Dickson X post, 22 Aug 2026; no dimensions, model numbers, or naming given
🎨 Other S-series design Same vertical family language S27/S27+ reportedly keep vertical layout; redesign Ultra-only Ice Universe via PhoneArena
🧲 Built-in Qi2 magnets ❌ Not supported (basic Qi wireless charging only) ✅ Built-in Qi2 magnet array reported, tied to camera relocation Gizchina, Gadgets 360 describing WIPO design filing and supply sources
📅 Announcement February 2026 Expected January or February 2027 Samsung's historical cadence; no official date

The horizontal camera bar is the most visible change. Samsung has used variations of a vertical or ring-style rear camera array since the Galaxy S21 Ultra. A horizontal bar would make the S27 Ultra visibly different from a distance, which recent S Ultra generations have not been.

There is also a meaningful disagreement in the leak record. A July report cited by Gizchina said Samsung was testing several S27 Ultra designs and that none of the final candidates used a horizontal camera bar. That has not been reconciled with this week's renders. The contradiction is worth keeping in mind until more concrete evidence, such as production-line leaks or regulatory filings, appears.

Where the "Two Sizes" Story Gets Complicated

Dickson's claim that the Ultra will come in two sizes is the bigger headline, but it is also the less precise one. There are at least three ways to interpret it, and Dickson's post does not make clear which is correct.

📊 Interpretation   What it would mean & Likelihood
Interpretation What it would mean Likelihood based on current evidence
📱 Two true Ultra models Samsung sells a Galaxy S27 Ultra and a larger "S27 Ultra" variant, both carrying the Ultra name with different screen sizes ⚠️ Possible but unprecedented for Samsung
📱 Ultra plus a repositioned Pro Dickson is describing the already-rumored Galaxy S27 Pro (6.47-inch) as a second Ultra-class device ✅ Plausible, given recent Pro leaks
💾 Storage or regional variants "Two sizes" refers to storage or regional configurations rather than screen size ❌ Less likely given the wording

The second interpretation is worth taking seriously. Multiple earlier reports, cited by PhoneArena itself, point to a Galaxy S27 Pro with a 6.47-inch screen that would sit between the S27+ and the Ultra. SamMobile has reported that the S27 Pro and S27 Ultra will share primary and ultrawide cameras and differ mainly in telephoto configuration. That would make the Pro effectively a smaller sibling to the Ultra, even if Samsung does not brand it as a second Ultra.

If that is what Dickson is referring to, the "two sizes" headline may describe a two-model premium strategy rather than two phones both badged Ultra. Until Samsung or a more detailed leak clarifies the model lineup and naming, that distinction matters.

Editorial note: The "two Ultra sizes" framing is the most attention-grabbing part of this story, but it is also the part with the thinnest evidence. Dickson's post does not include dimensions, model numbers, or marketing names. Readers should treat the two-size claim as a rumor to watch rather than a confirmed product plan.

What Earlier Reporting Has Indicated

It is worth separating the genuinely new claims from what has been reported in earlier leaks and patents. Everything in this section remains rumor-level and is contested in places.

  • What earlier reporting has indicated: A horizontal camera redesign has been discussed in concept renders and in secondary reports describing a WIPO design filing since April and May 2026. Ice Universe and other tipsters have described the change for months. The new renders sharpen the picture rather than introduce it. A July report cited by Gizchina also noted that Samsung was testing multiple rear-camera layouts and that earlier horizontal-bar claims may have been overstated, so the design is not settled in the reporting.
  • Three rear cameras instead of four: An ETNews report in August 2026, covered in English by ++The Shortcut++, said Samsung is expected to use three rear cameras across the S27 lineup, which would make the S26 Ultra the last four-camera Ultra. The report specifically names the 10MP 3x telephoto as the lens likely to be cut for cost reasons. Other outlets, including SamMobile, have noted disagreement on whether the Ultra truly drops a camera.
  • Qi2 magnets: Multiple outlets have tied the camera redesign to built-in Qi2 magnetic coils, which the S26 line lacked. "Built-in Qi2" means native magnet alignment for MagSafe-style accessories without a special case; it should not be confused with basic Qi wireless charging, which Samsung flagships already support.
  • Galaxy S27 Pro model: Leaks since mid-2026 have described a new 6.47-inch Pro model positioned between the S27+ and the Ultra.
  • Chipset: ++SamMobile reported in late August 2026++ that the S27 Pro and Ultra will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 globally, with base S27 and S27+ models using Exynos 2700 in most markets. That is separate from the design leak but consistent with a wider shake-up.

What is genuinely new this week is the two-size Ultra claim and the clearer render of the camera layout, including the apparent absence of the 3x telephoto. None of these details has been confirmed by Samsung.

What Critics Are Saying About the Design

PhoneArena describes the initial reaction to the new design in its comment threads as cold, and its own reporting highlights two common criticisms.

  1. Visual similarity to recent iPhone Pro models. A horizontal camera bar across a flat rear panel draws an obvious visual comparison. The engineering reason reported for the change (clearing space for Qi2 magnets) is distinct from Apple's, but the resemblance has been enough to draw notice from PhoneArena and other outlets covering the leak.
  2. Question mark over the 3x telephoto. The S26 Ultra offers both 3x and 5x telephoto options. If the S27 Ultra ships with only a 5x periscope, Samsung would likely rely on high-resolution sensor cropping to cover the 3x range, which is a different optical trade-off. That concern is based on renders and the ETNews report, not on a confirmed final spec.

It is also possible that the final production hardware looks different from the renders. Leaked concept images rarely capture finish, material, and scale accurately, and a July report cited by Gizchina said Samsung was still testing multiple designs.

What We Still Do Not Know

The leak leaves a long list of unanswered questions:

  • What are the actual screen sizes of the two alleged Ultra variants?
  • Is the smaller model the rumored S27 Pro, or a genuine second Ultra?
  • Will the 3x telephoto truly be removed, or relocated in a way the renders do not show?
  • Will the horizontal bar house a 200MP main sensor as earlier rumors claimed?
  • What is the battery capacity, and do the silicon-carbon battery rumors (reported at wildly different sizes by different outlets) hold up?
  • How much will the two models cost?
  • Will the design survive testing, or is Samsung still evaluating alternatives?
  • Does the horizontal bar include the S Pen storage that has defined the Ultra line?

None of these questions has a verified answer today.

What Happens Next

Samsung is not expected to announce the Galaxy S27 line until January or February 2027, according to the company's typical launch cadence. That leaves roughly five months for additional leaks, regulatory filings, and official teasers.

Expect more clarity on the chipset first. Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit is in September 2026, and the names of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 have already leaked. Samsung's own Exynos 2700 details will likely follow.

The design itself may continue to shift. If the horizontal camera bar is real, more concrete leaks should appear once production units enter the supply chain late this year; if it does not, this week's renders will join the long list of concept designs that never reached production.

We will update this article if Samsung comments, if Dickson or Ice Universe adds detail, or if more reliable evidence (FCC filings, Android Authority or Reuters-level reporting, official teaser material) resolves any of the open questions.

FAQ

Is Samsung actually making two Galaxy S27 Ultra models?

That is what tipster Sonny Dickson claimed on 22 August 2026. The claim has not been confirmed by Samsung or by any regulatory filing. It may instead refer to the already rumored Galaxy S27 Pro, which would sit alongside the Ultra as a smaller premium model.

What is changing about the Galaxy S27 Ultra camera?

Renders from Ice Universe show a horizontal pill-shaped camera bar in place of the current vertical island. The main and wide-angle lenses appear stacked vertically, with a 5x periscope telephoto in the same bar. The 3x telephoto used on the S26 Ultra does not appear in the renders and is reportedly under consideration for removal, but that detail is based on concept imagery and secondary reporting, not a confirmed specification. Standard S27 and S27+ models are expected to keep the vertical layout.

Why would Samsung switch to a horizontal camera bar?

Earlier reporting ties the redesign to Qi2 magnetic wireless charging. Qi2 requires a circular magnet array at the center of the rear panel, and the current vertical camera island occupies that space. Moving the cameras to a horizontal bar clears the center for the magnets. This is an engineering-driven explanation, not confirmed by Samsung.

When is the Galaxy S27 Ultra coming out?

Based on Samsung's typical Galaxy S launch cadence, the S27 series is expected to be announced in January or February 2027, with phones shipping in February or March. Samsung has not announced a date.

Should I wait for the Galaxy S27 Ultra or buy the S26 Ultra now?

If you need a phone today, the S26 Ultra is a known quantity with broad carrier support and established reviews. If you can wait five to six months, the S27 generation is shaping up to offer a more substantial redesign, a new chipset, and potentially Qi2 support, but the rumors are still too unsettled to treat any single specification as guaranteed.


The Bottom Line

The Galaxy S27 Ultra is shaping up to be the most structurally interesting Samsung flagship in several years. A horizontal camera bar, the possible removal of the 3x telephoto, possible Qi2 support, a new S27 Pro sibling, and now the rumor of two Ultra sizes would together represent a bigger strategic shift than anything Samsung did with the S26 line.

But "shaping up" is the operative phrase. The two-size claim rests on a single tipster post with no dimensions, the renders may or may not reflect the final design, and earlier reporting has openly contradicted some of the details. The most reliable conclusion today is that Samsung is reportedly considering a more ambitious S27 Ultra, not that every leaked specification is locked in.

For readers who follow Galaxy launches, the next five months are worth watching. For everyone else, the safest move is to wait for evidence that is closer to production before drawing conclusions.


Sources: ++"Two Galaxy S27 Ultra models," PhoneArena, Anam Hamid, 23 August 2026++; ++Sonny Dickson on X, 22 August 2026++; ++Ice Universe on X, August 2026++; ++SamMobile: Galaxy S27 chipset names and Pro/Ultra camera details++; ++Gadgets 360: Galaxy S27 horizontal camera module tipped via WIPO patent++; ++Gizchina: Why the Galaxy S27 Ultra camera is moving++; ++The Shortcut: ETNews report on S27 three-camera plan and 3x telephoto removal++; ++Free Press Journal: WIPO design filing and horizontal module reporting++. WIPO design database references in this article are as reported by these outlets; PetaTech24 has not independently retrieved the filing number.


EDITORIAL NOTE - CONFIDENCE & SOURCE RELIABILITY

  • This article reports unconfirmed rumors about an unannounced product. The Galaxy S27 series is expected in early 2027 and Samsung has made no official statement about its design, model lineup, or specifications.
  • The two Ultra sizes claim comes from a single social-media post by Sonny Dickson on 22 August 2026. Dickson is a named tipster with a strong track record on Apple products but a thinner Samsung record. The post contains no dimensions, model numbers, or marketing names, and is reported here as a rumor, not a fact.
  • The horizontal camera bar and apparent absence of the 3x telephoto come from renders and posts by Ice Universe, a tipster with a long track record on Samsung displays and cameras. The renders are consistent with secondary reports describing a WIPO design filing and coverage from Gadgets 360 and Gizchina, but they are concept renders and may not reflect final production hardware. PetaTech24 has not independently retrieved the WIPO filing number.
  • The article explicitly distinguishes new claims (two Ultra sizes, clearer camera renders) from earlier reporting (S27 Pro model, built-in Qi2 magnets, chipset names, three-camera configuration). It also identifies a contradiction between recent horizontal-bar renders and a July report saying Samsung's test designs did not use that layout.
  • Specifications cited from other outlets (Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, 6.47-inch Pro display, 200MP main sensor, silicon-carbon batteries) are attributed to their respective sources and have not been independently verified by PetaTech24.
  • No prices, release dates, model numbers, or benchmark figures have been invented. Forward-looking statements about launch timing are based on Samsung's historical cadence and clearly framed as expectations.
  • The "early reaction is cold" characterization is attributed to PhoneArena's reporting and user comments; it is not presented as a comprehensive reader poll.

Post a Comment

0 Comments