Samsung Galaxy S26 ultra to Feature Downgraded 3x Telephoto Camera, Leaks Reveal
Seoul, South Korea – Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is poised to receive a significantly smaller 10MP sensor in its 3x telephoto lens, a downgrade from the S25 Ultra’s current setup, according to prominent leaker Ice Universe. This shift comes as Samsung navigates constraints in telephoto camera development and cost considerations, perhaps impacting zoom capabilities on its next flagship device.
The decision to utilize a 10MP sensor – despite the S25 Ultra employing a 12MP IMX754 sensor cropped to 10MP for its 3x lens - stems from internal discussions at Samsung, where a move to a 50MP 4x lens for the S26 Ultra is now considered too late in the development cycle. A 3x lens paired with a 200MP main camera would offer limited utility, and a 200MP telephoto sensor is deemed too expensive, Ice Universe reports. this change is occurring despite an expected increase in the camera bump thickness of the S26 Ultra, suggesting the added space is dedicated to optical improvements rather than larger sensors.
Currently, the S25 Ultra features a 50MP IMX854 sensor (1/2.52″, 0.7µm) in its 5x periscope lens with a focal length of 111mm. Competitors like Apple and vivo are also advancing telephoto technology, with apple utilizing a 48MP sensor and vivo planning a customized 200MP sensor for its X300 Pro. Samsung’s main camera and ultra-wide lens are not expected to receive upgrades,and the 5x periscope module is likely to feature a 50MP sensor,further emphasizing the focus on optics alongside the downgraded 3x lens.
