- A purported leak shows Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra in a bright orange hue nearly identical to the iPhone 17 Pro’s new “Cosmic Orange” color [1] [2]. It appears on Reddit alongside silver and gold dummy units.
- Tech sites caution the leak may be fake. 9to5Google advises skepticism (“take this picture with a grain of salt”) [3], and industry insider Ice Universe confirmed the image was AI-edited, not an official Samsung photo [4].
- Samsung has used orange before: the Galaxy S24 Ultra launched in a Titanium Orange edition, and Google’s Pixel 4 had an “Oh So Orange” version years ago [5] [6]. Insiders say an S26 Ultra orange model may arrive next year, but likely in Samsung’s own tone rather than a direct copy of Apple’s shade [7] [8].
- Commentators note that design overlaps are often industry trends, not outright copying. PhoneArena observes that the S26 is adopting rounder edges and a new camera layout for engineering reasons, and that “rounder edges, a larger rear camera module, and a shade of orange are hardly unique changes” [9] [10].
- Android Central editor Shruti Shekar argues the smartphone market is saturated, so “originality has left the chat” – most companies end up offering similar designs and colors [11]. In her view, having a color in common with a rival isn’t newsworthy (“originality with color shouldn’t be something you should be concerned with”) [12].
- Regardless of color debates, rumors say the Galaxy S26 Ultra will pack big hardware: a new 200MP main camera sensor, roughly a 5,500mAh battery, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 chip and fast 60W charging, as well as retaining the S-Pen [13] [14]. Samsung is expected to unveil the S26 series in early 2026.
The “Cosmic Orange” Leak and Reaction
In early October 2025 a leaked image claimed to show Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra in a vivid orange color. Tech blog 9to5Google highlighted the photo of dummy S26 Ultra units – one in silver, one in light gold, and one in a very bright orange that “looks exactly like Apple’s ‘Cosmic Orange’” iPhone 17 Pro shade [15]. The leak went viral on Reddit and X (Twitter), fueling speculation that Samsung was “copying” Apple’s color. A known tipster on X, Max Jambor, cryptically hinted that “Orange is the new black. And will be in 2026 as well,” adding to the buzz about an orange S26 model [16].
However, experts quickly noted warning signs that the leak might be bogus. 9to5Google itself warned readers to take it “with a grain of salt,” since the image’s origin is unclear and it even has a telltale cropped watermark that looks like an AI-generation tag [17]. PhoneArena reports that industry insider Ice Universe (often reliable on Samsung rumors) confirmed the image was fake – likely someone used AI editing to slap an orange color on a Samsung render [18]. As Ice Universe explains, the S26 Ultra won’t look exactly like Apple’s Cosmic Orange, even if Samsung does introduce an orange shade next year [19].
Opinion on social media was mixed. Some fans mocked Samsung as a “copycat,” with one comment on 9to5Google quipping: “Oh great, Samsung’s latest innovation: borrowing Apple’s paint swatches. ‘Cosmic Orange’? How bold. How original.” [20] Others pointed out that Samsung has used orange tones before (e.g. Titanium Orange on the S24 Ultra) and that having a color in common isn’t unprecedented [21] [22]. In short, the “Cosmic Orange” leak triggered plenty of debate, but by mid-October no official confirmation of the color has emerged.
Design Similarities and Industry Trends
Beyond color, rumors hint at other S26 design tweaks that resemble Apple’s recent phones. PhoneArena notes two key changes: the S26 Ultra is expected to have rounder corners than the boxy S25 Ultra, and the Galaxy S26 Edge (the smallest model) appears to use a camera module style very similar to the iPhone 17 Pro [23]. These tweaks sparked chatter about Samsung “copying” Apple’s look.
But tech commentators say these are evolutionary design choices, not direct rip-offs. Samsung’s shift to curved edges began with the S25 Ultra for a more comfortable grip, and the S26 Ultra is simply continuing that path [24]. Likewise, a bigger “camera island” on the S26 Edge can be attributed to packaging very powerful camera hardware in a thin body, not a deliberate imitation [25]. As PhoneArena argues, one analyst’s opinion is blunt: “in my honest opinion, no” – these updates are hardly unique and serve practical goals [26] [27]. In fact, the article notes that many newer Android OS interfaces (like OnePlus’s and even Samsung’s own UI) are adopting Apple-like animations and icon styles, suggesting an industry-wide convergence.
The color choice itself is also framed as a broader trend. After Apple launched “Cosmic Orange,” almost every major phone brand quickly added or announced an orange variant. Samsung’s own history includes an orange “Titanium Orange” S24 Ultra, and Motorola’s Edge 50 Neo came in a Pantone “Poinciana” orange. (Even Apple’s Watch Ultra emphasized an “international orange” button and strap.) As T3 magazine points out, orange has become a recurring theme across devices [28]. In short, it’s less a one-off copy and more part of a cycle of popular color trends.
The Expert Take: Why Originality is Hard
Android Central’s editor-in-chief Shruti Shekar published an editorial column explicitly addressing this copycat debate. She concedes the S26 leak’s orange does look like Apple’s color, but reminds readers that Samsung (and others) have used orange in the past [29]. More broadly, she asserts that true originality in smartphone design is increasingly rare. “Originality has left the chat,” Shekar writes – with so many brands and models on the market, it’s nearly impossible to be completely different every year [30]. Many features (full-screen displays, metal frames, camera bars) have become standard.
Shekar argues that mimicking a color or design cue isn’t something for consumers to nitpick. Companies “carefully consider what the public wants,” and if a vibrant orange is trending, they may adopt it because users respond to it [31]. In her words, “originality with color shouldn’t be something you should be concerned with.” She notes that her own favorite phone colors (like iPhone 11’s Midnight Green or Pixel 10 Pro’s Moonstone) were product decisions – readers simply choose the color they like [32]. Thus, even if Samsung does release a “gorgeous orange” S26 Ultra, there would be “a very strong reason it decided to do so” – namely, that consumers apparently want that shade [33].
What We Know About Galaxy S26 So Far
Setting aside color, analysts have rounded up other rumors about the Galaxy S26 lineup. Samsung is expected to hold its annual Unpacked event in January 2026. The S26 Ultra will likely be a top-tier spec machine: leaked tips suggest a 200-megapixel main camera with multiple telephoto lenses, a ~5,500 mAh battery, and the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 chipset for peak performance [34] [35]. It should also keep the built-in S-Pen and gain faster charging (around 60W) while slimming down the overall chassis.
Design leaks have surfaced too – in addition to the color swatches, CAD renders hint at a more squared-off camera island and rounded edges. PhoneArena’s rumor roundup notes the S26 Ultra may even debut a slightly larger 1/1.1″ camera sensor and a slimmer glass back, though those are still unconfirmed. The consensus is that Samsung will push refinement (better cameras, bigger battery, faster AI features) over radical redesign, which fits the pattern of recent generational improvements.
Conclusion: Copycat or Coincidence?
In the end, Samsung’s alleged “copy” of Apple’s Cosmic Orange seems more of a heated Internet rumor than a documented strategy. The purported orange S26 Ultra image appears to have been fan-crafted hype – one that resonated only because it tapped into the ongoing debate over originality in tech. Industry writers and insiders largely agree that overlapping color choices and design tweaks are inevitable as smartphone makers chase consumer tastes and trends, rather than a sign of blatant copying.
“Trends come and go, and it seems like orange is the new popular shade,” notes PhoneArena [36]. And as Android Central’s Shruti Shekar puts it, it’s unrealistic to expect dramatic innovation every cycle: companies are refining what already works. If Samsung does launch an orange Galaxy S26 Ultra early next year, it may well owe to market demand for bold colors – not simply a paint-scheme heist from Cupertino.
Sources: Recent tech news and leaks from Android Central [37] [38], 9to5Google [39] [40], PhoneArena [41] [42], T3 [43] [44], ABP Live [45], and others, as cited above. Each provides commentary or data on the Galaxy S26 rumors and industry design trends.
References
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