Galaxy S26 Camera Rumors Reveal 5 Expected Upgrades For 2026 Flagships

But while camera changes have often headlined flagship launches, early Galaxy S26 leaks suggest that Samsung might stick rather closely to the current S25 setup. Of course, the Galaxy S25 lineup remains one of the strongest on the market, particularly in the form of the Ultra with its 200MP main camera and advanced telephoto lenses.

Initial Galaxy S26 leaks covering the standard, Plus, and Ultra models have all hinted at minor tweaks rather than radical changes. Samsung seems set to focus on sensor refinements and software enhancements rather than large jumps in megapixels. For those upgrading from some older Samsung devices, even the subtlest of upgrades may make a difference.

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It's not all about the megapixels, and early leaks have suggested that software optimisation, better sensor design, and refined optics will improve real-world performance.

Megapixels likely to stay the same

According to leaks, the Galaxy S26 models are expected to retain the same megapixel counts as their S25 predecessors. Tipsters like Ice Universe suggest the following:

-Main camera: 50MP on S26 and S26 Plus.

-Ultrawide camera: base and Plus models: 12MP.

-Telephoto: 10MP 3x on Ultra, 50MP 5x on Ultra

-Front camera: 12MP across all models.

We can rule out speculation of a 50MP ultrawide or 12MP 3x telephoto lens on the Ultra. Though the numbers are unchanged, Samsung could enhance image processing for better HDR, low-light shots, and portraits.

Larger sensors might improve low light and detail

Leaks indicate that the 50MP main sensor on the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus might be physically larger compared to the S25. Larger sensors capture more light and detail, which could improve low-light performance and dynamic range. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to pack a slightly brighter f/1.4 200MP sensor, which should help boost clarity and overall image quality even more.

Even without increases in megapixels, such changes to the sensor could translate into a meaningful difference, especially in night shots or highly detailed photographs.

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Minor Telephoto and Ultrawide Changes Expected

While megapixels might remain the same, leaks hint at some subtle optical improvements:

-Telephoto lenses at 3x and 5x are sharper, thanks to refined optics.

-The ultrawide lens may include slight sensor modifications to improve edge performance.

Software updates could generally enhance image quality, dynamic range, and low-light photography. These expected tweaks may not make headlines but could significantly impact real-world performance.