Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra 3x Camera Sensor Change Confirmed

Key Takeaways

1. The rear camera configuration of the Galaxy S26 series will be similar to previous models, with minor adjustments.
2. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will replace the 12 MP Sony IMX754 sensor with the smaller Samsung ISOCELL S5K3LD 12 MP telephoto sensor.
3. All models in the Galaxy S26 lineup are expected to feature the same 12 MP ISOCELL S5K3LD telephoto sensor with a f/2.4 aperture.
4. While hardware changes are minimal, improvements in photo quality may arise from the new ISP of the Exynos 2600 and image processing advancements.
5. A leaker has confidently predicted these specifications, encouraging users to remember them for comparison after the series launch in February 2026.

As we approach the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S series, there has been a flood of information regarding the Exynos SoC, battery technology, design, display, and more. Among all this speculation, the details about the camera setup have sparked the most debate. Currently, it appears that the rear camera configuration of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra will not differ significantly from their earlier models, with just a few minor adjustments.

Camera Sensor Changes

One notable adjustment is the introduction of a 3x Telephoto sensor. Reports suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will swap out the 12 MP Sony IMX754 found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra for the Samsung ISOCELL S5K3LD, which is also a 12 MP sensor. Interestingly, the new sensor is smaller, measuring at 1/3.94-inch compared to the 1/3.52-inch size of the Sony IMX754 used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra (Available on Amazon).

The leaker Ice Universe, who has previously validated the existence of this 3x Telephoto sensor, has reiterated this information with confidence. They described it as a “certainty,” asserting that all three models in the Galaxy S26 lineup will feature the 12 MP ISOCELL S5K3LD telephoto sensor with a f/2.4 aperture, along with a 10 MP effective sensor crop.

Confident Predictions

The leaker is so sure about this information that they are urging everyone to “take a screenshot and save it,” so they can compare it against the actual camera specifications of the Galaxy S26 once the series launches in February 2026.

In addition to this sensor update and the larger apertures for both the main and 5x Telephoto cameras on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, most of the camera hardware is anticipated to stay consistent with previous models. Therefore, from a hardware standpoint, it seems we are not likely to see significant enhancements in photo quality with the Galaxy S26 series.

Potential Upgrades

That being said, there could still be improvements in photo quality due to the new ISP of the Exynos 2600 and advancements in image processing.

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