Samsung has just leaked the design of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 series — including the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra — inside its latest One UI 8.5 software builds. The revelations, spotted on 5 December 2025, confirm previously rumoured renders and give a clearer look at Samsung’s 2026 flagship design ahead of its expected early-year launch.
What happened and when
On 5 December 2025, Android Authority dug into an early build of One UI 8.5 and discovered internal renders for phones codenamed “M1”, “M2”, and “M3”, corresponding to the Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung Galaxy S26+, and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — effectively confirming the design of the next-gen Galaxy S lineup.
The renders align closely with earlier leaks from trusted leakers, giving much stronger credence to previous CAD-based design rumours.
Key Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra camera design details
- Both the S26 and S26+ (codename – M1, M2) reportedly feature a familiar vertically stacked triple-rear camera island on the back — similar in principle to the previous generation, but slightly refined.
- The S26 Ultra (codename – M3)continues with a quad-camera setup: three cameras housed vertically in a protruding island, plus a fourth sensor placed next to the main housing.
Why it matters: What this leak tells us
- This is among the first times the official software for an unannounced flagship has leaked its design — it indicates that Samsung is confident enough to embed the S26 series models in One UI 8.5.
- The confirmation of the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra lineup dispels earlier uncertainty around whether the company would launch a “S26 Edge” variant; that model appears to have been abandoned in favour of a conventional S26+.
- By preserving a familiar yet refined design — simple and clean camera layout — Samsung seems focused on incremental improvement rather than radical redesign. This signals a strategy of optimizing ergonomics and user-friendliness, rather than chasing flashy new aesthetics.
What to expect next — timeline and context
- The leak comes just months ahead of the expected official release of the Galaxy S26 series, likely in early 2026.
- As always with software-embedded leaks, the details are credible — but not final. Samsung could still revise design elements before launch, though such renders inside One UI 8.5 raise the odds of the final appearance matching the leak.
- More concrete information — like exact dimensions, materials, and colour options — is expected to surface as we approach launch season. Given that these are high-stakes flagship devices, scrutiny will remain high.
In short:
The Samsung Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra design leaked via One UI 8.5 validates months of speculation, reinstates the “Plus” variant over an “Edge” model, and gives the clearest look yet at Samsung’s 2026 flagship direction. For now, the leak signals refinement and consistency — not reinvention.
