Samsung’s upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, may not bring all camera upgrades fans were hoping for. Latest leaks, especially from noted tipster Ice Universe, suggest the 3× telephoto camera could be downgraded to a 10MP sensor — a move that has stirred concern among photography enthusiasts. While the rumor isn’t confirmed yet, the implications are worth exploring.
What the Leak Claims
According to Ice Universe, the 3× telephoto lens in the S26 Ultra will feature:
- A 10MP output, despite the sensor possibly being rated at 12MP. The phone could crop down to 10MP rather than using the full resolution.
- An aperture of around f/2.4.
- A smaller pixel size — roughly 1.0 µm pixels, compared to previous generation having larger pixels.
- A sensor optical format of 1/3.94-inch.
These changes, especially reduction in pixel size and cropping from a larger native MP count, could degrade performance under certain conditions.
How It Compares With the S25 Ultra
To understand the downgrade:
| Specification | S25 Ultra (current) | Rumored S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 3× telephoto resolution | 10MP native, larger pixels | 10MP output (cropped from 12MP), smaller pixels |
| Pixel size | ≈ 1.12 µm | ≈ 1.0 µm |
| Aperture | Better or wider in some previous models | f/2.4 as rumored for S26 Ultra 3× lens |
Thus, though the MP count might sound similar, the smaller pixels and cropping could hurt detail and low-light performance.
Why Pixel Size, Cropping & Aperture Matter
- Pixel Size: Bigger pixels gather more light. Smaller pixels mean each pixel captures less light, which can increase noise in dim conditions.
- Cropping: Even if a sensor is 12MP, cropping down to 10MP means you lose some information. Cropped images often suffer more from noise and less flexibility in post-editing.
- Aperture (f-number): Wider apertures (smaller f-number) let in more light. An f/2.4 is decent but isn’t especially fast; combined with smaller pixels, it may struggle in low light compared to lenses with wider apertures or larger sensors.
Potential Impact on Image Quality
Due to these changes, possible effects include:
- Less sharp 3× zoom shots, especially in low light or when subject is far.
- Higher grain or noise in zoomed images.
- Less dynamic range and detail when shooting at telephoto in challenging lighting (indoors, dusk, etc.).
- Possibly more digital correction required via software, which sometimes degrades natural detail or color.
What Samsung Might Be Trying to Do
It’s not all negative; Samsung might be making trade-offs:
- Balancing cost/manufacturing constraints vs what’s “good enough” for many users
- Saving space or weight by using a smaller sensor module
- Relying on image processing, AI enhancement, or software post-processing to make up for hardware limitations
- Prioritizing other specs (battery, main camera improvements, faster charging, design) over incremental telephoto upgrades
What It Means for Users
If you are someone who uses 3× zoom often — portraits, wildlife, distant subjects, low light conditions — this change might be noticeable. On the other hand, if you rarely use zoom beyond main camera, or mostly shoot outdoors, you may not see much difference.
Camera lovers may find this disappointing, especially as Samsung has often used telephoto lenses as a standout feature in its Ultra-series. This rumor suggests Samsung may be choosing incremental refinement over bold upgrades in this area.
Final Thoughts
If these leaks are accurate, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 3× telephoto lens will be a step back, not forward, in terms of hardware — particularly for low-light and zoomed photography. While other parts of the camera system are expected to improve, this particular feature could be a weak point. Until Samsung proves otherwise (through official specs or early reviews), it’s a concern for those who expect best-in-class performance in every shot.
Also Read More: Apple Announces Final Cut Camera 2.0 with ProRes RAW and Genlock Support
