A recent leak has sparked concerns that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 3x camera may be a downgrade from its predecessor, the S25 Ultra, according to tipster Ice Universe.
The leaked specifications suggest that the S26 Ultra will feature a 12MP sensor that crops down to 10MP, maintaining the same native image resolution as the S25 Ultra. However, the sensor is reportedly smaller, with a 1/3.94-inch size and 1.0-micron pixels, compared to the S25 Ultra’s alleged 1/3.52-inch sensor with 1.12-micron pixels. Both cameras are said to utilize a 12MP sensor and record at 10MP. The reduction in sensor size and pixel size may lead to a decrease in light-gathering capabilities, potentially resulting in dimmer and less clear images with increased noise.
This hardware change could theoretically lead to the Galaxy S26 Ultra producing inferior 3x photos compared to the S25 Ultra. Nevertheless, Samsung may be able to compensate for this disadvantage through software optimization and an improved image signal processor, which could mitigate the negative impact on image quality. The actual effect on image quality remains to be seen.
Beyond the 3x camera, previous leaks have hinted at other camera improvements for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, including wider apertures for the main and 5x cameras. Additional rumored features for the S26 Ultra include a privacy-screen, a 5,000mAh battery, and support for 60W wired charging.
