Samsung Galaxy S26 camera: Everything you need to know
New sensors might be coming, but maybe not for the cameras you want.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in years. Across the S26, S26 Plus, S26 Ultra, and S26 Edge, Samsung is expected to build upon the already-strong camera foundation laid by the predecessors by adding smarter AI-driven image processing, larger sensors, and improved low-light performance.
Here’s what to expect from the entire Galaxy S26 series and the cameras it will be rocking.
You can expect a 50 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 10 MP 3x telephoto camera combination, plus a 12 MP selfie snapper on the front. That said, even though the hardware sounds familiar, leaks suggest that at least one of these sensors might be upgraded to improve clarity and low-light performance.
The Ultra is keeping its 200 MP main camera, 50 MP ultra-wide, as well as the 50 MP 5x and 10 MP 3x telephoto cameras. The selfie camera will likely come with the same 12 MP image sensor, just like on all other models.
The Edge stands out with its dual-camera setup, which includes the 200 MP main camera that the Ultra model has, as well as a new 50 MP ultra-wide. Despite having fewer lenses than the other models, its upgraded ultra-wide sensor should help it punch above its weight. On the front, the Edge will keep the same 12 MP selfie camera.
Samsung may not be changing much on paper, but a well-utilized hardware tweak and smarter processing can go a long way. Rumors point to an upgraded sensor for at least one of the cameras — likely the main one — which could deliver better dynamic range and better low light performance.
The 12 MP selfie camera is expected to stay the same across the lineup, though Samsung could improve facial HDR and edge detection through its new One UI 8.5 camera algorithms.
Software-wise, expect refinements to Expert RAW, Virtual Aperture, and 10-bit HDR video recording, all of which are carried over from previous generations.
For a phone of its size, the S26 Edge’s camera setup is shaping up to be impressive. While it keeps the 200 MP main camera from the S25 Edge, the big story is the new 50 MP ultra-wide sensor, up from the 12 MP one on the current model. This should make for a more detailed image, although the difference probably won't be that staggering without pixel peeping.
Samsung is expected to further refine its computational photography through One UI 8.5, improving processing speed and fine-tuning AI-based tools like Generative Edit, Audio Eraser, and Drawing Assist.
Based on the S25 lineup’s results, here’s what we expect from the upcoming Galaxy S26 series once we test it in our custom PhoneArena Camera Score benchmark:
Also check out: Galaxy S26 battery and charging
How many cameras does the new Galaxy S26 have?
Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus
You can expect a 50 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 10 MP 3x telephoto camera combination, plus a 12 MP selfie snapper on the front. That said, even though the hardware sounds familiar, leaks suggest that at least one of these sensors might be upgraded to improve clarity and low-light performance.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Ultra is keeping its 200 MP main camera, 50 MP ultra-wide, as well as the 50 MP 5x and 10 MP 3x telephoto cameras. The selfie camera will likely come with the same 12 MP image sensor, just like on all other models.
Galaxy S26 Edge
The Edge stands out with its dual-camera setup, which includes the 200 MP main camera that the Ultra model has, as well as a new 50 MP ultra-wide. Despite having fewer lenses than the other models, its upgraded ultra-wide sensor should help it punch above its weight. On the front, the Edge will keep the same 12 MP selfie camera.
Galaxy S26 camera: How many megapixels will it be?
| Model | Main | Ultra-wide | Telephoto | Selfie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 / S26 Plus | 50 MP | 12 MP | 10 MP (3x) | 12 MP |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 200 MP | 50 MP | 50 MP (5x) and 10 MP (3x) | 12 MP |
| Galaxy S26 Edge | 200 MP | 50 MP | --- | 12 MP |
Galaxy S26 camera upgrades
Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus
Samsung may not be changing much on paper, but a well-utilized hardware tweak and smarter processing can go a long way. Rumors point to an upgraded sensor for at least one of the cameras — likely the main one — which could deliver better dynamic range and better low light performance.
Software-wise, expect refinements to Expert RAW, Virtual Aperture, and 10-bit HDR video recording, all of which are carried over from previous generations.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to retain its dual-telephoto setup: a 50 MP 5x periscope camera for distant subjects and a 10 MP 3x lens for portraits and mid-range zoom. The 200 MP main camera is reportedly in line for a significant upgrade. It will either get a larger 1/1.1-inch Sony sensor or a faster lens with an aperture of f/1.4, both of which would help the camera capture more light.
Either change would noticeably improve low-light performance and dynamic range (the ability to preserve detail in both bright and dark areas of a shot). Both would also help produce a more natural depth effect, with stronger foreground-background separation for that pleasing, DSLR-like look.
Some leaks even suggest the return of a variable aperture on the S26 Ultra, though we’d take that with a grain of salt, as there’s little evidence to support it at this stage.
Either change would noticeably improve low-light performance and dynamic range (the ability to preserve detail in both bright and dark areas of a shot). Both would also help produce a more natural depth effect, with stronger foreground-background separation for that pleasing, DSLR-like look.
Some leaks even suggest the return of a variable aperture on the S26 Ultra, though we’d take that with a grain of salt, as there’s little evidence to support it at this stage.
Galaxy S26 Edge
For a phone of its size, the S26 Edge’s camera setup is shaping up to be impressive. While it keeps the 200 MP main camera from the S25 Edge, the big story is the new 50 MP ultra-wide sensor, up from the 12 MP one on the current model. This should make for a more detailed image, although the difference probably won't be that staggering without pixel peeping.
Additional software and AI upgrades
Samsung is expected to further refine its computational photography through One UI 8.5, improving processing speed and fine-tuning AI-based tools like Generative Edit, Audio Eraser, and Drawing Assist.
Galaxy S26 and the PhoneArena Camera Score test: Our expectations
Based on the S25 lineup’s results, here’s what we expect from the upcoming Galaxy S26 series once we test it in our custom PhoneArena Camera Score benchmark:
| Model | Expected Camera Score | Expected Photo Score | Expected Video Score | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus | ~149 vs 147 | ~153 vs 151 | ~144 vs 142 | Better dynamic range and HDR thanks to a new main image sensor. |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | ~161 vs 158 | ~168 vs 165 | ~152 vs 150 | Larger sensor and new software features could secure another year at the top. |
| Galaxy S26 Edge | ~145 vs 140 | ~150 vs 146 | ~138 vs 134 | The 50 MP ultra-wide upgrade should noticeably improve detail. |
So there you have it! These are all the camera upgrades rumored to be coming with the S26 series so far. What we are really hoping to see, though, is an upgraded 3x telephoto camera on the S26/S26 Plus and the S26 Ultra, as any substantial changes to that camera would skyrocket the Galaxy S series to new heights. Improvements to the video recording are also welcome, be it better video stabilization or new software features.
What do you want most from the S26 series' cameras? Let us know in the comments.
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