Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Might Not Get The Camera Boost Fans Expected

Samsung’s next flagship – the Galaxy S26 Ultra – is tipped to arrive in January 2026. Ahead of its launch, it is already making headlines with new leaks. But instead of hyping new features, the latest report has left some fans a little concerned – it points to a possible downgrade in the phone’s 3x telephoto camera.

The leak comes from tipster Ice Universe, who claims that Samsung might use a 12MP (cropped to 10MP) 3x telephoto lens with a 1/3.94-inch sensor and 1.0µm pixels. For everyday users, that basically means the camera could capture less light compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s setup. The previous model used a Sony IMX754 sensor with a slightly bigger 1/3.52-inch size and 1.12µm pixels, which helped deliver sharper detail and better low-light shots. Even though the change looks small on paper, such differences can make a noticeable impact in real-world photography.

Another news, I have been afraid to tell you, I am worried that you are angry.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's new 3x sensor is actually degraded, with only 10mp f 2.4 1/3.94 1.0um，It is smaller than the current S25 Ultra IMX754.
Therefore, it is true that I propose that Samsung…

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— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) September 10, 2025

Other parts of the camera system don’t seem to be changing much. The 50MP 5x periscope telephoto camera, one of the S25 Ultra’s standout features, is expected to stick around. The 200MP primary sensor and the 50MP ultra-wide lens are also likely to remain the same.

The competition, however, is moving quickly. Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro has introduced a 48MP telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom, and several Chinese brands are reportedly gearing up to use Sony’s powerful new 200MP sensor. Samsung, on the other hand, did look into options like a 50MP 4x telephoto or even a 200MP telephoto setup, but those plans were apparently dropped due to cost and technical challenges.

Leaked renders of the S26 Ultra showing a thicker camera bump had raised hopes for a bigger optical upgrade. But if the latest leak is accurate, Samsung may be prioritizing stability and cost control over experimental changes this time around.