Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra is shaping up to be the most talked-about flagship of 2027—and not necessarily for the right reasons. According to multiple leaks surfacing this week, the S27 Ultra is set to debut with a full-width “camera slab” that stretches across the back of the device, mirroring Apple’s recent iPhone design language. This marks a dramatic shift away from the vertical camera arrays that Samsung previously called its “core identity,” and, judging by early reactions, it’s a move stirring up plenty of controversy.
The New “Camera Slab” Design
The leaked images show the Ultra and Pro models sporting a camera enclosure that spans nearly the entire width of the phone and sits slightly raised above the backplate as a separate module—a visual departure from the more discreet camera bumps seen on Galaxy S-series flagships since the S20 Ultra. Some leakers are even calling it a contender for the “largest camera bump” in the smartphone world. While the S27 Ultra is the largest device in the lineup, the S27 Pro offers a noticeably smaller footprint, which could appeal to fans of more compact phones.
Hardware Repeats and Camera Controversy
But it’s not just the design that’s grabbing headlines. The camera hardware itself is drawing mixed reactions. The S27 and S27+ are expected to feature the same 50MP main camera sensor—either the Sony IMX955 or Samsung S5KGNG—that powered last year’s S26 series, suggesting minimal hardware upgrades. While Samsung is rumored to be hiding some surprises under the new camera “slab” (like bigger lenses or improved thermals), there’s skepticism about whether the changes will be meaningful for everyday users.
Perhaps the most controversial leak is the S27 Ultra’s selfie camera: just 16MP, despite the phone’s expected $1,400 price tag. Critics have called this “plain mockery” for a 2027 flagship, especially since Samsung’s rivals have pushed forward with much higher resolution selfie sensors. The telephoto camera specs remain under wraps, but fans are urging Samsung not to “go cheap.”
Adding fuel to the fire, respected leaker Ice Universe has cast doubt on some of the leaked images, warning that “this picture is wrong.” Still, with dummy units already circulating and veteran sources backing up the broad design changes, the new look seems increasingly likely.
With the official launch still months away, Samsung fans are left debating whether the S27 Ultra’s bold new direction is a step forward—or a misstep that could trigger, as one source put it, “the most intense wave of criticism in Galaxy history.”
