One of the best camera phones on the market today is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. But if recent rumors hold any truth, its successor—the Galaxy S26 Ultra—could take mobile photography to a whole new level with some significant camera upgrades.
Samsung has dominated the camera phone market for multiple S Ultra generations, largely due to its quad-camera setup and a powerful 200MP main sensor. However, innovation never stops, and fresh leaks suggest that Samsung is gearing up for some exciting enhancements in its next flagship.
According to @SiddhantGeek on X, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra might feature as many as three major camera upgrades.
Galaxy S26 Ultra – Rumoured/Leaked
Wide 23.6mm F/1.4-4.0(variable), OIS, AF
200MP 0.6um 1/1.3inch3.5x Telephoto 80mm F/2.4, OIS, AF
50MP 0.56um 1/3.15inch8x Telephoto 184mm F/3.0, OIS, AF
50MP 0.64um 1/2.76inchUltrawide 13mm F/1.9, AF
50MP 0.7um 1/2.52inchCredits to :…
— Siddhant B (@SiddhantGeek) March 25, 2025
Return of Variable Aperture
One of the biggest rumored upgrades is the return of variable aperture to Samsung’s flagship lineup. Reports suggest that Samsung is working on an adjustable aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/4.0—a significant leap from the limited f/1.5 to f/2.4 option seen on the Galaxy S10.
If this functions similarly to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which allows fine-tuned control in 0.01-stop increments, photographers could enjoy far greater creative freedom. Variable aperture impacts both light intake and depth of field, enabling better brightness control and enhanced background blur for stunning shots.
Major Upgrades to Telephoto Lenses
In addition to aperture enhancements, the telephoto lenses are also getting substantial improvements. According to leaks:
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The 10MP 3x sensor will be replaced with a 50MP 3.5x lens, offering sharper and more detailed zoomed-in shots.
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The 50MP 5x telephoto lens will now feature an 184mm focal length and 8x zoom, further improving long-distance photography.
If these rumors hold true, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could deliver Samsung’s most versatile and powerful camera system yet, giving photographers and casual users alike more control over their shots.
A Reason for Skepticism?
While these rumors are exciting, it’s wise to take them with a grain of salt. One key concern is that @SiddhantGeek doesn’t have an established track record for leaks, making it difficult to gauge credibility. Additionally, although the account attributes the information to @Jukanlosreve, there’s no visible source to verify the claim.
In yet another X post, even @SiddhantGeek appears to be a little sceptical: “Yeah. Even I don’t believe it.
Yeah. Even I don’t believe it.
— Siddhant B (@SiddhantGeek) March 25, 2025
Clarifying the Rumor
In response to skepticism, @SiddhantGeek has defended the claim by referencing a post from well-known leaker Ice Universe on Meeco. Ice Universe does seem to acknowledge another leaker’s report about the dual-50MP telephoto zoom sensor, but the wording leaves room for interpretation.
What Was Actually Said?
According to Ice Universe, another leaker, E8M_8888, stated:
“He said that Samsung will ship 50M 0.56μm and 50M 0.64μm sensors, so that the Samsung S26 Ultra can cancel the 3x 10MP sensor and replace it with a dual periscope camera, and 200mm (8x) 50MP becomes possible.”
Ice Universe then adds:
“If so, then we can expect the S26 Ultra 3.5x 50MP + 8x 50MP configuration, which would be great if it were true.”
While this sounds promising, the careful phrasing suggests that even Ice Universe is unsure of its accuracy.
Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra lineup has consistently introduced camera innovations, but these improvements have generally been incremental rather than revolutionary. Seeing three major camera upgrades in a single generation would be unusual based on the company’s past approach.
It’s best to approach this rumor with caution. While one or two camera upgrades could be realistic, the likelihood of all three changes happening at once seems slim.
