Rumors are circulating that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 5x zoom camera will receive a significant upgrade in the form of a wider aperture. According to tipster Ice Universe, the S26 Ultra’s 50MP 5x camera will feature an aperture of f/2.9.
A wider aperture allows the camera to capture more light, resulting in brighter and clearer photos, especially in low-light or indoor environments. This increased light intake also enables the camera to use a faster shutter speed, reducing motion blur. Furthermore, a wider aperture creates a shallower depth of field, producing a more natural bokeh effect in portrait shots. This reduces the reliance on software-based depth effects, which can sometimes appear artificial.
The anticipated benefits of this upgrade include higher-quality low-light images with reduced blur and improved portrait mode performance. The S25 Ultra’s performance in a recent camera zoom shootout was considered disappointing, fueling expectations for the S26 Ultra to deliver a more competitive performance against its rivals.
Several competitors already offer telephoto lenses with wider apertures. The vivo X200 Pro features a 200MP f/2.7 periscope camera with 3.7x zoom, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts a 200MP f/2.6 periscope shooter with 4.3x zoom. The Pixel 10 Pro is expected to have a 48MP f/2.8 periscope lens with 5x zoom. HUAWEI’s P60 Pro previously set a benchmark with its 3.5x periscope camera and an f/2.1 aperture.
Given the advancements made by competitors, the upgrade to a wider aperture on the S26 Ultra’s 5x camera is viewed as a long-overdue improvement for Samsung. The company aims to enhance the camera’s ability to capture brighter, cleaner shots, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, and create portrait photographs with more natural bokeh effects.
“Tipster Ice Universe has claimed on Twitter that the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 50MP 5x camera will have an f/2.9 aperture. That’s significantly wider than the S25 Ultra’s f/3.4 shooter. So what does that mean for users, then?”
The anticipation is high that these changes will enable the S26 Ultra to deliver superior low-light performance, reduced blur, and improved portrait mode capabilities, making it a stronger contender in the smartphone camera market.
