Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Zoom Test: First Look & Results

Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a camera capable of up to 100x zoom, according to the company’s official product page. The device’s telephoto camera incorporates a novel lens design, moving away from traditional rectangular shapes to a circular opening.

The S26 Ultra’s camera system has been rigorously tested by DXOMARK, evaluating its performance in photo, video, and zoom quality. Key camera specifications include a 200MP primary sensor with a 23mm equivalent f/1.4-aperture lens, a 50MP ultra-wide lens with a 120˚ field of view, and two telephoto lenses: a 10MP lens with 67mm equivalent focal length and a 50MP lens with 111mm equivalent focal length. Both telephoto lenses include optical image stabilization (OIS).

DXOMARK’s testing assessed several sub-scores, including photo main, bokeh, ultra-wide, and telephoto performance. The S26 Ultra achieved a camera score of 157, with individual scores of 167 for photo main, 165 for bokeh, 139 for ultra-wide, and 141 for telephoto. These scores position the S26 Ultra competitively against other high-end smartphones, though trailing behind the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra (184 overall) and Vivo X300 Pro (180 for bokeh and 170 for telephoto).

Samsung initially announced its Adaptive Pixel (ALoP) technology, including a 3x optical zoom version, in 2024, leading to expectations for its implementation in the S26 Ultra. The circular lens opening in the telephoto camera is directly related to this new technology. The S26 Ultra also leverages AI-powered zoom processing to enhance image clarity at high magnification levels.

A YouTube video demonstrates the S26 Ultra’s camera zoom capabilities, showcasing optical, hybrid, and digital zoom performance across varying distances and lighting conditions. DXOMARK’s full report breaks down the device’s performance in a variety of tests and common use cases, providing detailed captured data.