Samsung's Next Galaxy Models Look a Lot More Like the iPhone 17

[MacRumors]

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 models may adopt key design elements from the iPhone 17 lineup, according to new dummy units shared by reliable leaker and journalist Sonny Dickson.

An image posted on X by Dickson shows three mock devices that are believed to represent the Galaxy S26, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra. The images reveal that Samsung is moving ahead with significant changes to its rear camera design, most notably on the rumored S26 Edge, which features a wide, horizontal camera bump extending across the phone's back. This design closely resembles the expected design of Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, which are set to introduce a similarly broad camera module.

The mockups show that while the standard S26 and S26 Ultra continue with a vertical lens arrangement, both devices now have slightly raised camera islands, breaking from Samsung's recent minimalist contour-cut designs, resembling the expected design of the entry-level iPhone 17. The Ultra model retains its quad-lens configuration with two smaller sensors positioned alongside the primary lenses, but the S26 Edge departs radically from Samsung's traditional layout by shifting to a two-lens system with an adjacent flash in a layout strongly resembling Apple's upcoming Air and Pro devices.

The dummy units also feature large circular engravings on the back that appear to allude to the placement of magnetic charging components, indicating that the Galaxy S26 series will likely support the Qi2 wireless charging standard. Qi2 introduces a Magnetic Power Profile based on Apple's MagSafe.

The addition of these magnets suggests Samsung is planning to adopt a similar accessory ecosystem, allowing for snap-on chargers, stands, and wallets. This would be a significant a shift for Samsung, which has to date relied solely on coil-based wireless charging without magnetic positioning, and signals much closer alignment with Apple's approach.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup at its "Awe dropping" event next week, making it likely that Samsung's design shift is influenced by the company's anticipated changes. The S26 lineup is expected to debut in February 2026.

Article Link: Samsung's Next Galaxy Models Look a Lot More Like the iPhone 17

 

[MacUserFella]

Reminder that ALL companies copy from each other, that’s called competition and catching up

 

[Sean Patrick]

So weird that Samsung would do this, not like they have literally 15+ years of copying every single apple design.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Why didn’t Apple 🍎 trademark the Rectangular Camera Bump to stop Samsung from doing this?

 

[sunapple]

Really curious what the final iPhone 17 design will look like, so far from the leaks it does not seem worth copying.

 

[mystery hill]

Apple’s Next iPhone Models Look a Lot More Like the Pixel 10.

 

[StudyFlo]

No way – who would've expected that.

 

[progx]

Samsung has always been one of the great copycats of electronics. They’ve been doing this LONG before smartphones. I remember in the 1990s, they’d copy Sony and other major TV manufacturers to undercut their prices.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Why didn’t Apple 🍎 trademark the Rectangular Camera Bump to stop Samsung from doing this?

Because it's not their original design. Other phones have already used a camera bump that fills the top back part of the phone. Not precisely how Apple does, but it's close enough that Apple can't copyright a "rectangular camera bump".

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Why didn’t Apple 🍎 trademark the Rectangular Camera Bump to stop Samsung from doing this?

Pixel has had it for a few years already.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Apple’s Next iPhone Models Look a Lot More Like the Pixel 10.

Pixels also have a rectangular camera bump, so did Apple copy Google?

 

[Rychiar]

I love how Samsung copies apple worst design decisions

 

[Dr McKay]

I wonder what the purpose is of that rectangular shape when the lenses don’t appear any different. They could have copied apples square camera bump since apple have had it for years but I don’t recall them doing so. Now they’re suddenly “copying” an unconfirmed, rumoured redesign? I don’t buy it.

 

[justanotherdave]

Reminder that ALL companies copy from each other, that’s called competition and catching up

Do all companies have an actual “manual” on copying (like Samsung did for the iPhone)?

 

[Siggo]

So weird that Samsung would do this, not like they have literally 15+ years of copying every single apple design.

Yet their devices look more sleek and their software (OneUI) has already become more intuitive than iOS.

 

[slippery-pete]

Wait a minute. I thought only Apple had ugly camera bumps??? Phones that can't sit flush on a table???

 

[MRSugarD]

Classic copycat Samsung.

 

[Rachid Vàzquez]

Reminder that ALL companies copy from each other, that’s called competition and catching up

But it’s not even about that, it’s about brand identity.
For years now, it’s been less risky for Samsung to look like Apple than to build its own identity.

 

[VisceralRealist]

I honestly find Samsung embarrassing. I could never buy one of their phones. Literally all they do is directly copy every Apple design. The worst is when they mock the design decision and then copy it the next year 🤦‍♂️

 

[Rachid Vàzquez]

Wait a minute. I thought only Apple had ugly camera bumps??? Phones that can't sit flush on a table???

Don’t be fooled by the angle, the camera block actually recesses inward this time

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Wireless charging made simple: Qi2, MagSafe, Pixelsnap, Sammyslap

Customer: can you explain the difference between the four of these technologies?

Staff: they are all based on "chee-two", which is based on MagSafe, which is backward compatible with "chee"

Customer: pardon? what's "chee"?

Staff: "chee", as in "chee"

Customer: "chee"?

Staff: yeah "chee", it's spelled "Q-I", look here on the box, it's pronounced "chee"

Customer: what?

Staff: they are all the same, they use magnets

Customer: oh *looks confused* (beat) so why the four different names then?

Staff: I think maybe they're trying to confuse us

Customer: it's working

Customer's partner: honey, we have to go, I was wondering where you were

Customer: oh, ok, bye

Staff: bye, now

Customer's partner: what were you talking to that man about?

Customer: I don't know, something about magnets

 

[Pupi]

Pixel has had it for a few years already.

Yet it doesn't look that the Pixel's. The Pixel's bump has never had a uniform distance to the top and side edges and that makes a big difference in how it looks like.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Pixel has had it for a few years already.

Google should sue Apple then 😉🍎

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Yet it doesn't look that the Pixel's. The Pixel's bump has never had a uniform distance to the top and side edges and that makes a big difference in how it looks like.

True. Pixel's take on it looks alright. Apple and Samsung's look like trash.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Because it's not their original design. Other phones have already used a camera bump that fills the top back part of the phone. Not precisely how Apple does, but it's close enough that Apple can't copyright a "rectangular camera bump".

So it would’ve been hard for Apple to get a trademark for that. I know they got a trademark on the Apple Watch ⌚️ square design.