Stunning Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra concept takes the best approach yet

When the Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup debuts next year, the camera array on the Galaxy S22 Ultra model could look a little bit different than what you’ve come to expect from the Galaxy S lineup. Thus far, renders depicting the upcoming phone show a camera setup on the back of the device that looks more the letter “P” than the rectangular shape you’re probably used to.

That’s not to accommodate different lenses. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is expected to feature the same number of cameras and sensors as before, though there are rumors of updated hardware. Still, designs thus far have suggested the main, ultrawide and telephoto lenses will line up vertically, with the laser auto-focus sensor and an additional telephoto camera off to the side. That’s the same as the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s look, but there could be a chunk taken out of the S22 array, creating that P-shape.

It’s definitely an unusual look and one I can’t claim to really like. Fortunately, a concept design for the Galaxy S22 Ultra has appeared that takes a much more sensible approach to handling Samsung’s camera setup.

The design, created by Parvez Khan of Technizo Concept and shared by Dutch blog Let’s Go Digital, features the same number of lenses and sensors that rumors have suggested for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Only in this case, the designer has opted for two separate camera islands, with the laser AF sensor and second telephoto lens off on their own separate strip.

It’s a much more minimal look than the P-shaped block seen in other Galaxy S22 renders. And, frankly, I think it’s a lot more in line with what Samsung pulled off with the Galaxy S21 lineup. One of the design highlights of the S21 was the phone’s contour-cut design where the camera array blended into the side of the phone. That made the array feel much more seamless and incorporated into the phone’s overall look. A P-shaped island would undo that effort, while the separate strips in the Technizo Concept design look a little less jarring.

There’s another consideration in favor of that approach, Let’s Go Digital reports — it would also keep the weight down on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. That’s not an insignificant consideration given that the S21 Ultra tipped the scales at a hefty 8.08 ounces, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra may have to make room for an included S Pen — another rumor associated with the upcoming flagship.

That S Pen holster is on display in the Technizo Concept video, as is another rumored feature reportedly coming to the Galaxy S22 lineup — an under-display camera on the front of the phone.

As for the rear Galaxy S22 Ultra cameras, rumors point to an improved version of the 108MP main camera found in the Galaxy S21 Ultra (and not a 200MP sensor as had been previously rumored). There’s no word on potential improvements to the S21 Ultra’s 12MP ultrawide angle shooter or its pair of 10MP telephoto lenses (one with a 3x zoom, the other with a 10x zoom). Samsung is reportedly focusing on software improvements for the S22 cameras, highlighted by a continuous zoom feature that reduces the need for digital adjustments.

Ultimately, we’re still waiting on a more official word on what the Galaxy S22 Ultra will look like in advance of its release next year. Neither the p-shaped camera module nor Technizo Concept’s separate island approaches are nailed on to be the look of Samsung’s next flagship. But if it did come down to those two designs, we know which one we’d want.