Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Telephoto Camera May Fall Short Compared to iPhone 17 Pro
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra may face challenges with its camera system, as recent leaks suggest a downgrade in its telephoto capabilities. While the iPhone 17 Pro has just received significant upgrades to its telephoto lens, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a smaller sensor and pixel size for its 3x zoom camera. This change could impact its performance, especially in comparison to Apple’s latest offerings, which boast enhanced zoom features.
Telephoto Camera Downgrade
According to credible leaker @UniverseIce, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will retain the 10MP 3x optical zoom camera from its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, it is expected to utilize a smaller sensor measuring 1/3.94 inches, along with smaller 1.0µm pixels. In contrast, the S25 Ultra’s camera features a larger 1/3.52-inch sensor and 1.12µm pixels. This shift could lead to a noticeable decline in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The leaker has expressed confidence that there will be no changes to this configuration, raising concerns about the camera’s performance compared to the S25 Ultra.
Despite this potential setback, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may still include an additional telephoto camera, possibly a 50MP 5x zoom lens, similar to the S25 Ultra. This could provide users with alternative options for zoom photography. However, if the rumored downgrade is accurate, the S26 Ultra may struggle to compete with the iPhone 17 Pro series, which recently upgraded to a 48MP sensor with improved optical zoom capabilities.
Chunkier Camera Block
In addition to the camera downgrade, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a significantly thicker camera block, measuring 4.5mm compared to the 2.4mm of the S25 Ultra. This increase in thickness could make the new model feel bulkier in hand. The leaker suggests that this design change is necessary to accommodate a main camera with a larger aperture, which has been rumored as an upgrade for the upcoming device.
While a larger aperture could enhance the main camera’s performance, the combination of a thicker design and a potentially inferior telephoto camera may present a challenge for Samsung in marketing the S26 Ultra. Consumers may be hesitant to embrace a bulkier phone that does not offer superior camera capabilities compared to its predecessor or competitors.
Anticipation for Launch
As speculation continues to swirl around the Galaxy S26 Ultra, many are eager to see how these leaks will pan out. Samsung typically unveils its flagship Galaxy S series in January, and the tech community is keen to learn more about the device’s specifications and features. While the leaks paint a concerning picture for the camera system, it is essential to remember that these details are not yet confirmed.
The upcoming months will likely bring more information and possibly official announcements from Samsung. Until then, consumers and tech enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how the Galaxy S26 Ultra stacks up against the competition, particularly the iPhone 17 Pro series, which has set a high bar with its recent enhancements.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
