The annual competition for the smartphone crown often boils down to subtle refinements in display and processing power. However, the latest leaked specs for the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup suggest significant upgrades in a key area: photography. Apparently, Samsung will finally implement better and larger sensors for the Galaxy S26 series’ 3x zoom telephoto camera.

Camera-wise, one of the areas that has evolved the most in recent years is optical zoom. Several Android brands—especially Chinese ones—are implementing powerful lenses. However, Samsung has maintained a much more conservative approach. The company has focused primarily on software and processing improvements. But what happens when the hardware is so old that it simply can’t offer notable quality improvements?

Samsung may bring bigger 3x telephoto camera sensor to the Galaxy S26

This has been happening with the Galaxy S models of recent years. For reference, the latest Galaxy S25 Ultra uses the same 10MP 3x optical zoom lens as the older Galaxy S22 Ultra. We’re talking about a pretty small sensor for 2025 premium flagship standards (1/3.52-inch size). However, it looks like that’s finally about to change.

According to Alchemist Leaks, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series will receive a big 3x zoom telephoto camera upgrade. The change would be present in all models, from the base variant to the Ultra model. More specifically, the devices would boast a new, larger 12MP sensor with a 1/2.55-inch size. The leak mentions that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could have an even bigger telephoto camera. However, they note that the latter is not confirmed yet.

If true, this change could be the most important camera update in the entire series. After all, a larger physical sensor dramatically increases light capture, leading to cleaner details, less noise, and superior results when you use that common 3x zoom function.

Other camera improvements

Continuing with the camera upgrades, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have an upgraded 200MP main sensor. The 50MP ultra-wide lens will also receive improvements, although no further specific details are available. The 50MP 5x zoom telephoto lens may be the same as the current Galaxy S25 Ultra.

On the other hand, the upgraded 50MP ultra-wide sensor would also be coming to the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. This would represent a big improvement compared to the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus’ 12MP lenses.

Potentially bigger battery for the Ultra model

Beyond the optical improvements, the S26 Ultra is chasing endurance. Leaks mention the possibility of a 5,400mAh battery cell. Such an increase would give the phone a nice daily battery life. However, the source mentions that this may be subject to change. This is because it’s a “last-minute change,” so Samsung must conduct tests to confirm the feasibility of its implementation.

In terms of processing, every model is set to receive the next-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite or Exynos 2600. Lastly, the entire lineup, including the S26+ and the standard S26, will also benefit from QHD M14 AMOLED displays.

Overall, Samsung seems to have realized it was falling far behind Chinese brands in terms of camera technology. So, the company appears ready to implement some significant improvements in this area. Let’s hope the rumors are true and we see these camera updates in the Galaxy S26 series next year.

The post Galaxy S26 May Bring the Telephoto Camera Upgrade You've Been Waiting for Years appeared first on Android Headlines.

Samsung just shared some official information about the u[cp,omh Galaxy S26 series — and it sounds promising. During its Q3 2025 earnings call, the company confirmed that the upcoming Galaxy S26 series will pack a few significant upgrades, including “next-gen AI” features, a new chipset, and “new camera sensors”.

It’s the first time Samsung has spoken publicly about the Galaxy S26, after months of messy leaks and speculation. Early reports have painted a confusing picture — from talk about the Exynos 2600 replacing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in some regions to the rumored cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge and a surprise return of the S26+. That reshuffle could even push the launch back to March 2026.

Trying to calm the noise, Daniel Araujo, VP of Samsung’s Mobile Experience division, told investors that the S26 lineup will “revolutionize the user experience with next-gen AI, as well as offer its own 2nd-generation chipset, stronger performance, and new camera sensors.”

That quote alone confirms a few things. The Exynos 2600 is happening, at least for certain models. Built on a 2nm process, it’s expected to perform much closer to Qualcomm’s 3nm chip this time — something a recent GeekBench listing has hinted at.

Unfortunately, the company executive only mentioned new camera sensors, and it’s too vague to get a clear idea of what to expect. Looking back, the S26 (then referred to as the S26 Pro) was rumored to feature the same camera hardware that’s been in use since the Galaxy S22. Tipster @OutofGalaxyy even joked, “Consistency is key!!!!!!!!.”

Soon after, another tipster, @Jukanlosreve, contradicted that claim, saying “the main sensor used in the S26 Pro will be a combination of Sony’s new 50MP 1.0µm sensor and Samsung’s new 50MP sensor, applied differently depending on the region.” While the primary sensor may come from Sony rather than Samsung, the pixel size matches what the Galaxy S22 offered.

As for the Ultra, a previous leak pointed to a modest resolution bump from 10MP to 12MP for the 3x telephoto camera — not particularly groundbreaking, but still aligning with the “new camera sensors” phrasing mentioned by the Samsung executive. We’ll hopefully have more to share as development on the Galaxy S26 series moves forward.

(Source)

The post Samsung officially talks about what’s new in Galaxy S26 series appeared first on Gizmochina.

A trusted tipster said yesterday that Samsung decided to postpone the launch of the Galaxy S26 series. That followed an earlier report that claimed the phones would arrive in March. Well, some additional information just surfaced, adding more context to the whole story.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series will seemingly launch in late February or early March

According to a new report from WinFuture, the launch date for the Galaxy S26 series has been pushed back to late February or early March. This is not a first for Samsung, as the Galaxy S22 series arrived in late February, while the Galaxy S23 series was announced in mid-February.

With the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 series phones, however, the company has been sticking to the January launch timeframe. It seems like the company decided to change things up now, and the indecisiveness could have a lot to do with that.

Samsung is making last-minute changes across the lineup

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra were supposed to launch. Based on recent reports, however, Samsung has decided to launch the Galaxy S26 instead of the Galaxy S26 Pro, and the Galaxy S26+ instead of the Galaxy S26 Edge.

We don’t know if that will affect the designs that we’ve exclusively revealed, but Samsung could be changing just the names. It remains to be seen. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, which was initially planned is still coming.

Samsung is also having some problems with the Exynos 2600 as well, it seems. Reports are claiming that half of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series phones are expected to use that chip, and it still has a low yield, based on reports.

A separate report says that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will go into mass production in December, earlier than the other two phones. The Galaxy S26 and  Galaxy S26+ are said to join in January.

The post Samsung Adjusts Galaxy S26 Launch Timeline — Here’s What’s Changing appeared first on Android Headlines.