4 Must-Have Camera Upgrades for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The start of the year brings with it a fresh wave of Android flagships, though many of these new models haven’t yet made their way to the U.S. market. Xiaomi and Vivo have already introduced their camera-focused devices, but the spotlight is firmly on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. While Samsung’s Ultra phones once set the standard for smartphone cameras, recent years have seen fierce competition from Chinese brands, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile photography. Even Apple and Google are investing heavily in camera hardware and software advancements.

From a competitive standpoint, Samsung finds itself in a tough position. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is not a bad camera phone by any means, but it doesn’t hold a top spot in DxOMark rankings. Apple and Google dominate the list, with other Chinese brands like Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi also making strong showings. This raises the question: where does Samsung stand now?

Some may argue that camera tests are subjective, but the results speak for themselves. Having tested every Samsung Ultra model since the Galaxy S20 Ultra, I can confidently say that Samsung has lost its edge in imaging. Despite having full control over the camera stack in its flagship devices, including producing ISOCELL sensors and custom signal processing hardware, Samsung has fallen behind. The Galaxy S26 Ultra could be the turning point if it makes the following key improvements.

A Bigger Sensor

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is currently the most expensive camera-centric phone sold in the U.S., surpassing even Google and Apple. However, it didn’t introduce any groundbreaking camera features or claim the top spot in performance. Meanwhile, brands like Xiaomi and Oppo delivered impressive results with bold camera choices, such as using 1-inch sensors on the 17 Ultra and Find X8 Ultra.

What’s the benefit of a larger sensor? A bigger sensor has more photosites, allowing it to capture more light. This leads to better signal capture per receptor without needing to boost the ISO, resulting in cleaner images with less noise, especially in low-light conditions. Fitting a 1-inch sensor is costly and requires more space, which means a larger camera hump. However, the image quality improvement is significant.

The Oppo Find X8 Ultra, which featured a 1-inch sensor, was my favorite phone of 2025. It produced the most detailed and vibrant photos I’ve ever taken. Its night photography outperformed Google’s Pixel phones, and it achieved all this with a 50-megapixel sensor. For the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung needs to adopt a 1-inch sensor and pair it with its signature color processing.

Step Up the Zoom Game

In 2020, the Galaxy S20 Ultra introduced 100x zoom, featuring a folded lens system with 4x optical, 10x hybrid, and 100x digital zoom. Over time, Samsung increased the optical zoom to 5x, but competitors quickly surpassed it. The Oppo Find X8 Ultra, for example, features two periscope zoom cameras, each with a 50-megapixel sensor. Samsung, on the other hand, limited its secondary camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra to just 10 megapixels.

Oppo’s implementation of AI-assisted pixel reconstruction and hardware-level stabilization ensures that long-range shots are sharper and more accurate. The zoom cameras on the Oppo Find X8 Ultra captured some of the best long-range portraits I’ve seen on a smartphone.

For the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung should focus on the zoom feature that made the "Ultra" popular among enthusiasts. A dual-periscope telephoto camera layout would be a strong move. Alternatively, Samsung could take inspiration from the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, which offers an impressive 9.4x optical zoom on a 12.5-megapixel sensor. Simply retaining the same zoom hardware as the previous model won’t cut it.

Play to Its Strengths

Leaked renders suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have a similar design to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it implies that the zoom camera or periscope lens hasn’t been upgraded. Otherwise, the camera layout and hump size would likely be different. This leaves one plausible upgrade: a higher-resolution sensor.

Samsung has experience with large sensors, having introduced 100-megapixel and even 200-megapixel models. However, these advancements haven’t translated into flagship smartphones yet. Competitors like Xiaomi and Vivo have taken the lead. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a 200-megapixel zoom camera with folded lens optics, while the Vivo X300 Pro includes a 200-megapixel ZEISS APO telephoto camera with periscope optics. These phones deliver exceptional detail and texture, even at high zoom levels.

Samsung has the technology in-house, as seen with the ISOCELL HP5 sensor, a 200-megapixel sensor designed for zoom modules. The Galaxy S26 Ultra could benefit greatly from adopting this sensor.

Embrace AI or Go Artsy

In 2025, two major trends emerged in smartphone cameras: AI and artistic filters. Samsung, however, hasn’t excelled in either area. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is the most AI-focused phone, with features like Camera Coach and Magic Eraser that rely on AI. Pro Res Zoom, which uses AI for high-magnification shots, is particularly impressive. Though it requires an internet connection, the results are worth the wait.

Another trend is partnerships with legacy camera brands like Zeiss, Leica, and Hasselblad. These collaborations have led to unique filters and presets that enhance the photography experience. The Vivo X300 Pro, for instance, offers Zeiss portrait filters and film effects that create stunning visuals.

Samsung hasn’t engaged in such partnerships recently, but it has the opportunity to create its own unique camera experience. Drawing inspiration from apps like VSCO Capture and Adobe Project Indigo could help elevate the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera capabilities.