The highly anticipated Galaxy S26 Ultra is generating a buzz in the tech community as rumors circulate regarding its camera specifications and overall design. Recent leaks, notably from leaker @chunvn8888, suggest that the new flagship smartphone will not feature all the same sensors as its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
According to the latest leaks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to retain several key components from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, including the impressive 200MP HP2 rear camera, the 50MP JN3 ultrawide sensor, and the 50MP 5x IMX854 zoom lens. Additionally, the front-facing camera will maintain its 12MP configuration. However, a significant change is on the horizon: the existing 10MP 3x telephoto Sony IMX754 camera will be replaced with a more advanced 12MP S5K3LD 3x unit. This new in-house sensor is larger than its predecessor, promising enhanced performance.
To ensure that the Galaxy S26 Ultra secures its place among the best camera phones, Samsung is introducing several innovative features. One of the standout additions will be the Adaptive Pixel technology, which minimizes noise by combining multiple low-resolution images into a single high-resolution photograph. Furthermore, a new 24MP option will be available for both default and portrait modes, enhancing versatility for photographers.
Another exciting feature may include a focus speed slider, allowing users to adjust the focus transition speed according to their shooting needs. Moreover, users will have the flexibility to disable HDR10+ in favor of traditional HDR settings. A new video format known as APV will also be introduced, offering two quality levels: APV HQ, which records at high quality and consumes 1.5GB of storage per minute, and APV LQ, which records in lower quality at 750MB per minute.
Despite featuring only one new sensor, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to deliver better overall photo quality. The primary 200MP camera and the 50MP 5x zoom lens are rumored to have larger apertures, allowing them to capture more light. This enhancement will significantly contribute to the quality of photographs taken with the device. Ultimately, aside from the ultrawide camera, most of the rear camera hardware will receive noteworthy updates, paired with software improvements to elevate the photography experience further.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a refined design with rounder corners and a pill-shaped camera array. Under the hood, it is expected to be powered by either the Exynos 2600 or the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite, depending on the region. The faster processor will be complemented by the latest RAM technology, ensuring smooth performance.
There is some debate regarding the charging capabilities of the device. Notable leaker Ice Universe has suggested that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will support 60W charging, while @chunvn8888 indicates it will feature a new charging solution but retain the 45W speed of its predecessor.
Overall, the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be a meaningful upgrade over the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, potential buyers should be wary of a possible price increase. With rising component costs, many upcoming smartphones, including the S26 Ultra, may experience a slight price hike. Nevertheless, if the increase is manageable, users might find the enhancements worth the investment.