The Galaxy S27 Ultra may fix my biggest Samsung complaint, but I’m worried it’ll create a new one

The Galaxy S27 Ultra may address my primary complaint about Samsung devices, but I harbor concerns that it could introduce a new issue. A smartphone's design can significantly influence whether I choose to use it. While it's a common saying not to judge a book by its cover, a phone is an exception. I scrutinize it daily, likely hundreds of times, so aesthetics matter to me.

However, another aspect is that I don't wish to continue purchasing and utilizing a phone that feels identical with each iteration, which has become increasingly true with Samsung. For the past four or five years, I have been utilizing Samsung's phones, particularly the Ultra models, and although Samsung has continually refined the design with each generation, the overall appearance has scarcely evolved.

This realization is precisely why the leaked Galaxy S27 Ultra images immediately piqued my interest. For the first time, Samsung seems open to deviating from the formula it has adhered to for years and presenting a noticeable change. After years of criticism for reusing the same designs year after year, I found myself surprisingly content to state: I like where Samsung appears to be heading in 2027, even if I'm not entirely convinced yet.

The Galaxy S27 Ultra's design has been revealed from almost every angle by Android Headlines and OnLeaks, and I have spent considerable time examining these renders. My enthusiasm for the S27 Ultra has grown as I've looked at them more. The primary reason is the cameras. The three camera rings in a line that we have become accustomed to are no longer merely sitting on their own.

Samsung appears to be adding an elevated section beneath them, which immediately alters the back's appearance. The arrangement consists of two cameras together, while the third is part of a longer, pill-shaped section alongside the flash. Although it's challenging to overlook this resemblance to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and OPPO Find X9 Pro, Samsung may have a valid reason for this alteration.

Beyond simply giving the S27 Ultra a new look, a larger camera section might provide Samsung with additional space for improvement, whether through enhanced camera hardware, superior cooling, or resolving the issues with magnetic charging. While I am keeping my expectations realistic, especially concerning the cameras, the telephoto appears relatively small in these renders, so a larger camera section does not necessarily indicate substantial hardware upgrades in general.

Currently, what excites me most is the prospect of seeing a new Galaxy Ultra and feeling like I'm looking at something different. However, upon closer examination of the entire phone, this excitement fades somewhat. Apart from the redesigned camera area, Samsung doesn't appear to be making many other changes. The S27 Ultra continues to have a massive and boxy design, and from the front, it would likely be difficult to distinguish it from the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Nonetheless, renders can only provide a limited understanding of how a phone actually feels, so I am not prepared to make a final decision until I physically hold and use the S27 Ultra. This is where these S27 Ultra renders leave me in a state of conflict. If accurate, some of the easily recognizable Samsung qualities might vanish.

Comparing this phone to devices from OPPO or OnePlus, the distinctions become even less apparent. I have desired Samsung to give the Ultra a fresh look for years, but I never anticipated that fresh look to result in the phone blending in with others. Undoubtedly, how significant this difference is depends on your location. In the US, for instance, OPPO does not officially sell its phones, and OnePlus has ceased operations in the country, so the S27 Ultra would not be surrounded by similar-looking phones on store shelves.

In contrast, in certain markets where Chinese phone brands are more prevalent, this design may feel less distinctive compared to the previously familiar Galaxy Ultras. This is why these renders have left me in such an unusual position. I have long desired Samsung to alter the Ultra and am genuinely excited that it might finally happen.

However, I hope that in attempting to make the S27 Ultra look new, Samsung does not lose sight of what originally made it identifiable as a Samsung device. While I continue to determine how I feel about Samsung significantly altering the Ultra's identity, there is at least one consistent element on the phone that I am pleased to see remaining: the S Pen.

OnLeaks has confirmed that it will still be included with the Galaxy S27 Ultra, and the renders even display a small portion of it tucked into the phone's bottom. This is a relief for me. Since Samsung removed Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen a couple of years ago, I had wondered about its future. My initial thought was that Bluetooth could be the initial thing to be discontinued; Samsung might gradually reduce the significance of the S Pen, and then, one year later, it might vanish altogether.

Fortunately, the S27 Ultra does not seem to be that phone. I am particularly glad about this development as I use the S Pen frequently. I often utilize it for scribbling notes, drawing when I have some time, annotating screenshots, or jotting down ideas before they escape my memory. Once you become accustomed to having a stylus available whenever needed, it becomes surprisingly challenging to envision not having one.

And perhaps that's the equilibrium I hope Samsung achieves with the S27 Ultra. I am entirely comfortable with the company experimenting with the camera design and making the phone feel fresh again. However, I implore Samsung not to change everything for the sake of change. Some aspects of the Ultra are worth preserving.