Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Specs: Same 50MP Sensor as S25 Ultra, Says Leak

Recent leaks reveal Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra will retain the identical 50MP 5x telephoto camera sensor from its predecessor, but significant aperture improvements and controversial downgrades may reshape the flagship's photography capabilities when it launches in January 2026.

Breaking Down the Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Leaks

5x Telephoto Camera: Same Sensor, Better Performance

The Galaxy S26 Ultra will indeed use the same 50MP 5x telephoto sensor that debuted in the Galaxy S24 Ultra and continues in the S25 Ultra. However, this apparent stagnation masks a significant upgrade that could transform low-light photography performance.

Key Specifications:

• Sensor: 50MP with 1/2.52" size and 0.7μm pixels

• Aperture Upgrade: f/2.9 (versus f/3.4 on S25 Ultra)

• Light Intake Improvement: 38% more light capture capability

• Optical Image Stabilization: Retained from previous generations

The Controversial 3x Telephoto Downgrade

Perhaps the most surprising leak concerns the 3x telephoto camera, which appears headed for a significant downgrade. Instead of the expected upgrade, Samsung may implement a smaller sensor with reduced capabilities.

Rumored 3x Camera Specs:

• Resolution: 12MP sensor cropped to 10MP output

• Sensor Size: 1/3.94" (smaller than S25 Ultra's 1/3.52")

• Pixel Size: 1.0μm (reduced from 1.12μm)

• Aperture: f/2.4

This potential downgrade has sparked significant controversy within the enthusiast community, with prominent leaker Ice Universe launching a petition demanding changes to Samsung's camera leadership.

Main Camera: Familiar Sensor, Revolutionary Aperture

Samsung plans to retain its proven 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor for the fourth consecutive year, but will implement substantial optical improvements that could deliver the biggest camera upgrade since the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Technical Improvements

Primary Camera Specifications:

• Sensor: Samsung ISOCELL HP2 1/1.3" with 0.6μm pixels

• Aperture: f/1.4 (upgraded from f/1.7)

• Light Capture: 47% improvement over S25 Ultra

• Variable Aperture: Potential return of dual/variable aperture technology

The wider f/1.4 aperture represents Samsung's most aggressive aperture upgrade in recent years, potentially bringing back memories of the Galaxy S10 series' dual-aperture system.

Physical Design Changes: The Camera Bump Controversy

Dramatically Thicker Camera Module

One of the most significant changes involves the camera bump thickness, which will nearly double compared to the current generation.

Dimensional Changes:

• Body Thickness: 7.9mm (0.3mm thinner than S25 Ultra)

• Camera Bump: 4.5mm (versus 2.4mm on S25 Ultra)

• Total Thickness: 12.4mm when including camera bump

• Weight: 217g (1g lighter than S25 Ultra)

Design Implications

The dramatically thicker camera bump serves multiple purposes:

• Accommodating wider aperture lenses for main and telephoto cameras

• Enabling potential future camera upgrades

• Maintaining overall device thinness while improving optics

Launch Timeline and Market Context

Expected Release Schedule

Samsung is expected to maintain its traditional January announcement window for the Galaxy S26 series. Some rumors suggest a potential December pre-order period to capitalize on holiday sales, though this remains unconfirmed.

Anticipated Timeline:

• Announcement: January 2026 Galaxy Unpacked event

• Pre-orders: Potentially December 2025

• Market Release: February 2026

Competitive Landscape Challenges

The camera specifications place Samsung in a challenging position against competitors who have moved to larger sensors. By 2026, the S26 Ultra's telephoto sensor will be among the smallest in flagship smartphones, particularly when compared to Chinese manufacturers using 200MP periscope sensors.

What These Changes Mean for Users

Photography Performance Expectations

Improved Low-Light Capabilities:

• Main camera: 47% better light gathering

• 5x telephoto: 38% improved low-light performance

• Reduced noise and enhanced detail retention

Portrait Photography Enhancements:

• Natural bokeh effects from wider apertures

• Better subject separation at 5x zoom

• Reduced reliance on software processing

To explore real-world performance differences between Samsung’s flagship cameras, check out this detailed camera specifications comparison.

Potential Concerns

3x Telephoto Limitations:

• Reduced sensor size may impact image quality

• Possible degradation in challenging lighting conditions

• Lower resolution output despite 12MP sensor

Looking Ahead: Samsung's Camera Strategy

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera system represents Samsung's continuation of incremental improvements over revolutionary changes. While sensor upgrades remain minimal, optical enhancements through wider apertures demonstrate the company's focus on maximizing existing hardware capabilities.

The controversial 3x telephoto downgrade, if confirmed, may reflect internal space constraints or cost considerations as Samsung balances device thinness with camera performance. However, the substantial improvements to main and 5x telephoto cameras suggest Samsung remains committed to flagship photography excellence, albeit through different optimization approaches than sensor size increases.

Future Implications:

• Variable aperture technology may return for the first time since 2019

• Camera bump designs could influence industry trends

• Software processing improvements will likely compensate for hardware limitations

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera system ultimately represents Samsung's measured approach to smartphone photography evolution, prioritizing optical improvements and processing enhancements over dramatic hardware overhauls.

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