After months of mixed signals about Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy S26 series, a new set of leaks paints a much more encouraging picture. It appears Samsung may finally be introducing the camera upgrades fans have been waiting for, rather than minor tweaks this time around.
The Galaxy S26 series and the anticipated camera revolution
The biggest rumored change will be the 3x telephoto camera. For years, Samsung has been using a 10MP 1/3.52-inch sensor in the Ultra models and an even smaller 1/3.94-inch sensor in the standard models. This put it at a clear disadvantage against competitors like the Vivo X300 Pro.
The new leak claims that all three S26 models will switch to a much larger 12MP 1/2.55-inch sensor for 3x telephoto. This change will significantly improve light capture and overall zoom clarity. There’s even talk that the Ultra model could upgrade to a 50MP 3x sensor, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet.
The improvements aren’t limited to the camera. The Ultra model is also likely to gain a battery upgrade from 5,000mAh to 5,400mAh, provided Samsung can keep the thickness under control. All three phones are rumored to feature Samsung’s new M14 OLED panels with QHD resolution. Screen sizes will be 6.3 inches for the S26, 6.7 inches for the S26+, and 6.9 inches for the Ultra. For comparison, the current S25 uses a 6.2-inch 1080p panel.
The S26 and S26+ are also receiving significant camera updates. Both models may finally get a 50MP ultra-wide camera instead of a 12MP one. The 50MP main camera could reportedly use a larger sensor (1/1.3-inch), the same size as the S25 Ultra’s 200MP sensor. Performance will vary depending on the region, with either the Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipsets. This year, even the Ultra model is rumored to come with Exynos in some markets.
Leaks also include a wildcard model called the “S26 More Slim.” This model is expected to feature a 6.6-inch QHD display, dual 50MP cameras, an unspecified telephoto lens, and a battery capacity of approximately 4,300mAh. While the status of this model remains unclear, it reportedly avoids major compromises, unlike the canceled S26 Edge. If these leaks are accurate, the S26 series could be much more compatible and advanced than first anticipated.
So, what are your thoughts on the Galaxy S26 series? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
