Samsung is once again facing accusations of copying Apple, this time for allegedly borrowing one of Apple’s standout color options from the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. A recent leak suggests that the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra will be available in a “Cosmic Orange” finish, a shade that closely resembles Apple’s signature color for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air. The similarity has sparked fresh debate among fans about Samsung’s repeated tendency to follow Apple’s design direction.
According to discussions on Reddit, leaked promotional material from Samsung’s marketing team shows an orange variant of the Galaxy S26 Ultra that mirrors the tone, texture, and even name style of Apple’s “Cosmic Orange.” The iPhone 17 series introduced this color earlier this year, marking a new era of bold metallic finishes within Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design shift. Many Reddit users pointed out how Samsung’s supposed version seems to imitate not only the hue but also the reflective coating Apple uses on the Pro models.
This isn’t the first time Samsung has been accused of taking inspiration from Apple’s aesthetics. The company’s recent software updates, including the upcoming One UI 8.5, have drawn comparisons to iOS 26, particularly for adopting similar lock screen customization tools, widget styling, and Liquid Glass effects. Together, these similarities indicate that Samsung continues to take visual and experiential cues from Apple’s ecosystem, even as both brands emphasize innovation and differentiation in their marketing.
For the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the new color is expected to join Samsung’s existing palette of Titanium Gray, Emerald Blue, and Desert Silver options. While Apple’s “Cosmic Orange” uses a vapor deposition finish designed to achieve depth and vibrancy under light, Samsung’s leaked renders appear to rely on a more matte aluminum tone, potentially making it less reflective. Still, the resemblance is strong enough that many users believe it was a deliberate move to match Apple’s recognizable design signature.
If accurate, this would continue a broader trend of Samsung adopting Apple’s visual language in both hardware and software. From camera layouts and color naming conventions to UI transitions, Samsung’s design strategy often aligns closely with Cupertino’s choices a few months later. Whether this helps or hurts Samsung’s perception among loyal fans remains to be seen, but the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra launch is sure to reignite the ongoing rivalry between the two tech giants.
