
It is common practice for larger smartphone companies like Samsung and Apple to test out multiple prototypes of their upcoming flagship series before deciding which variation goes to the mass production line. However, on this occasion, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is yet to be officially released in various markets, and an ‘out of the blue’ rumor claims that the Korean giant is already testing a prototype of the Galaxy S26 Ultra that does not sport any visible camera. This would suggest that Samsung is aiming to deliver a ‘full screen’ experience without any cutouts, much like what Apple is rumored to be pursuing.
Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely being tested with under-display camera technology, but this variation could be scrapped if image quality issues start popping up
The rumor was posted by X user @kro_roe, though it is interesting that no mention of under-display technology was made in the post. Then again, it is not like Samsung does not have experience in this area because the company’s current-generation foldable flagship, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, sports a 4MP under-display sensor that pops up when you can capture an image or video from it. The biggest caveat of adopting this technology in other devices is the compromise in quality.
A multitude of comparisons shows that although this technology is neat, it should not be implemented as a ‘cool factor’ while delivering subpar imaging results. Even Apple has been reported to be testing out this technology on numerous occasions, but it failed to debut in any iPhone lineup, likely due to the same reasons. We should also mention that Samsung likely has a regular prototype of the Galaxy S26 Ultra available for testing, and for the most part, we feel that this version will end up on the mass production line due to the fewer complications that come with constructing such a smartphone.
In the Galaxy S26 Ultra display prototype, the camera hole is not visible.
— kro (@kro_roe) February 3, 2025
Also, Samsung is one of those companies that rarely wants to be the first to introduce newer technologies and waits for mass adoption before moving to something new to help with cost reduction, though this was not always the case. One example is how Samsung’s 200MP ISOCELL HP9 is not used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra but is sold to other smartphone manufacturers. Since there are not a whole lot of updates available at this time, we recommend readers treat this information with a pinch of salt.
News Source: @kro_roe
link