With Apple’s iPhone 17 already unveiled, the spotlight has turned firmly toward Samsung and its upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup. New leaks are surfacing almost daily, and the latest whispers focus on the Galaxy S26 Ultra – Samsung’s flagship model that typically sets the tone for the entire series. 
While many hoped for major breakthroughs, it seems Samsung might be walking a fine line between continuity and stagnation.
According to well-known insider Ice Universe, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will stick with the same 50 MP 5x telephoto sensor used in both the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra. This 1/2.52-inch sensor with 0.7μm pixels has been around for a while now, and it’s increasingly looking like Samsung will recycle it again for the S27 Ultra as well. While consistency isn’t necessarily bad – the sensor has proven to be capable – the lack of innovation in the telephoto department leaves enthusiasts hungry for more.
Adding to the mixed feelings, the S26 Ultra is also rumored to carry a downgraded 10 MP sensor for its 3x telephoto camera. Some argue that Samsung could have scrapped the 3x altogether in favor of a larger, more versatile zoom solution, rather than balancing two middling telephoto options. Photographers, for instance, would benefit more from a wider aperture or improved image processing at higher zoom levels instead of reusing hardware that feels dated.
On the design front, leaks suggest that the S26 Ultra will sport a noticeably thicker camera bump – reportedly twice as large as that of the S25 Ultra. Whether this visual bulk translates into better optics or just housing for the same old modules remains unclear. For critics, it’s a frustrating pattern: Samsung has gone from delivering incremental upgrades to outright recycling.
Still, the Ultra series has its loyalists. Some see no problem with the same telephoto sensor continuing across multiple generations, pointing out that it avoids unnecessary downgrades. Others, however, call the company out for hypocrisy, noting how Samsung fans mock Apple for minor updates while defending Samsung’s own lack of change.
The Galaxy S26 series is expected to debut in January, with the lineup once again including the S26 Pro, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra. Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but with leaks suggesting minimal hardware improvements, all eyes will be on whether Samsung can justify premium costs with software tweaks, AI features, or battery and performance enhancements.
2 comments
If they widened the aperture instead of reusing sensors we’d actually see better shots. Drop the 3x and make 1 strong zoom
My S23 Ultra is still fire, no reason to upgrade rn. SKIP