Rumors suggest Samsung’s 2027 flagships could adopt a horizontal camera layout, and a recent patent filing offers a glimpse of that design. The filing does not explicitly depict the Galaxy S27, but if Samsung moves to a horizontal arrangement the final phones could look similar — a change that would mark a clear departure from the current Galaxy S line.
Samsung’s recent Galaxy S models, including the Galaxy S26, have been praised for a clean, premium look but criticized for a lack of meaningful visual evolution. The S26 is unmistakably a Samsung flagship, yet its appearance feels familiar rather than fresh after several generations using similar design cues.
Galaxy S27 and magnetic accessories
Beyond aesthetics, a horizontal camera layout could solve a practical problem with Samsung’s current rear camera arrangement. Recent Galaxy flagships are Qi2-ready but do not include built-in magnets; magnetic accessory functionality is enabled through compatible cases. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the vertically stacked camera module occupies a large area of the rear, reducing usable space for magnetic accessories to attach securely.
Samsung has produced first-party accessories and cases with cutouts to accommodate that camera module, but this is a workaround rather than a universal solution. Third-party accessory makers serve many brands and models and are unlikely to redesign products specifically for Samsung’s vertical camera layout. A horizontal camera arrangement could therefore free up rear space, make the phones more accessory-friendly and help establish a new visual identity for the Galaxy S27 lineup.
Possible removal of the 3x telephoto on the Galaxy S27 Ultra
Separately, rumors indicate Samsung may drop the dedicated 3x telephoto camera from the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Current Galaxy S26 Ultra sensors are already large, and fitting four separate cameras into a single horizontal row could make the rear look crowded. Removing the 3x lens could address that issue.
The 3x telephoto is useful for portraits and everyday zoom shots, so its removal would have photography implications. If Samsung can deliver comparable results through a different sensor or by using cropping strategies, that would alter the trade-offs; otherwise, dropping a useful lens purely for aesthetics would be notable. If the 3x camera is removed, that change may be part of a broader redesign rather than an isolated decision. We shall find out soon.
