Galaxy S26 Ultra’s S Pen gets a curvier redesign to match Samsung’s softer look.

Multiple reports indicate Samsung is shifting the Galaxy S26 Ultra to a rounder, less Note-like profile, and the S Pen’s visible end is being reshaped to match that aesthetic rather than reimagined from the ground up. Crucially, coverage points to S Pen retention on S26 Ultra despite earlier speculation, even as the S25 Ultra’s pen lost Bluetooth features that had enabled air gestures and remote shutter actions in previous generations.

Design overview

Leaked imagery and write-ups describe a more curved external end-cap for the S Pen, aligning with the S26 Ultra’s softened corners and edges instead of the sharper silhouette associated with older Note-styled Ultras. The change is framed as cosmetic and incremental, suggesting the core shape, slot mechanism, and basic ergonomics remain familiar to existing Ultra users.

Aesthetic alignment

Reports say the pen’s cap geometry appears tuned to sit flush within a curvier chassis, presenting a cleaner look when docked in the silo at the phone’s edge. Color and finish are likewise expected to harmonize with S26 Ultra body tones, supporting a cohesive visual language across the device and its integrated stylus.

Ergonomics and feel

A slightly rounder cap and smoother transitions could make the pen feel more natural in hand without significantly changing diameter or length, which should limit any learning curve for long note-taking sessions. No credible leak points to dimensional overhauls, so the practical grip experience should remain steady while benefiting from gentler edges and reduced snag risk on insertion/removal.

Functionality status

Core S Pen roles—handwriting, annotation, selection, and navigation—are expected to remain intact on S26 Ultra, with software anchored by Samsung Notes and familiar pen utilities in One UI. There is no reliable indication that Bluetooth air actions will return after Samsung confirmed S25 Ultra’s S Pen would not support Bluetooth functionality, so advanced gesture expectations should be tempered pending official confirmation.

Silo and retention

Coverage converges on the S Pen slot remaining part of S26 Ultra, which preserves instant access and continuity for stylus-first workflows despite the broader move toward a curvier industrial design. Leaker-driven chatter earlier in the year speculated about dropping the silo to accommodate other design priorities, but current mainstream reporting still points to retention on the 2026 Ultra cycle.

Conflicting rumors to track

A minority of reports have suggested that Samsung could eventually change or even remove the S Pen digitizer to prioritize thinness or integrate Qi2 magnet-based charging more cleanly, which would have knock-on effects for pen technology and housing space in the chassis. Even with those longer-horizon possibilities circulating, the near-term consensus for S26 Ultra remains a cosmetic S Pen refresh with a traditional slot, not a fundamental rework of input hardware for this model year.

Comparisons with S25 Ultra

The S25 Ultra marked the pivot away from the sharp, Note-like aesthetic and dropped Bluetooth from the S Pen, setting expectations for a continued visual softening without committing to advanced pen connectivity features. Against that backdrop, S26 Ultra’s stylus appears to refine the external end-cap and silhouette to blend more smoothly with the phone’s rounded corners and softened frame lines.

Design rationale

A rounder S Pen tip-end visually “completes” the softened chassis, reducing the aesthetic dissonance that can occur when a sharper, flat cap sits inside a curved edge profile. The gentler geometry may also improve pocketability and the feel of insertion/removal, reducing snagging and better matching the ergonomic character of the handset.

Practical implications

Daily note-taking, sketching, PDF markup, and precision selection should feel the same in practice, as leaks do not suggest changes to the core pen-on-glass interaction or digitizer behavior on S26 Ultra. Accessory ecosystems—nib kits, grips, and cases that preserve silo access—are likely to carry forward with minimal adjustments given the cosmetic nature of the S Pen update.

User impact and scenarios

For frequent writers, the modest contouring could reduce fatigue and improve comfort over extended sessions without forcing adaptation to a new grip or tip feel, which safeguards established workflows in Notes and productivity apps. Field work, creative sketching, and photo retouching continue to benefit from stylus precision versus finger input, preserving S Pen’s advantage in dense UIs, lasso selections, and fine brush control.

What to watch next

Expect high-resolution renders or packaging shots to more clearly show the curvier end-cap, along with side-by-side comparisons that highlight the shift from S25 Ultra’s pen. Regulatory filings, CAD-based leaks, or hands-on photos could confirm final silo placement and any mention of additional pen sensors or connectivity changes ahead of launch.

Risk and uncertainty notes

Until Samsung’s announcement, treat Bluetooth air actions and advanced gesture discussions as unconfirmed, given Samsung’s explicit stance on S25 Ultra and the absence of credible reporting that S26 Ultra reverses course. The longer-term strategy—especially with pressures around thickness targets and Qi2 magnet integration—could reshape pen technology in future Ultras even if S26 stays the course on a built-in silo and passive pen.

Conclusion

The balance of reporting suggests Galaxy S26 Ultra will keep the S Pen with a visibly curvier end-cap to complement the phone’s rounder design language, emphasizing cosmetic polish over functional upheaval. Unless Samsung announces a change, assume continuity in core pen behavior and slot retention—while treating any return of Bluetooth air actions or deeper hardw

are shifts as unconfirmed until launch.