Galaxy S26 Ultra: A Powerful Camera Phone with Subtle but Significant Upgrades

When talking about camera phones, the spotlight inevitably falls on Samsung’s latest Galaxy S Ultra model — and with the official unveiling of the Galaxy S26 Ultra just weeks away, anticipation is building up. Although the best camera phones crown will remain competitive, the Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t promise radical hardware changes from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, one key improvement is expected: an enhanced wider aperture on its main camera lens, potentially redefining low light photography on this flagship.LYT-901

Understanding the Aperture Improvement

The Galaxy S25 Ultra for reference. | Image by PhoneArena

While the aperture jump from f/1.7 to f/1.4 on the S26 Ultra’s main camera may seem small, in photography terms, it’s quite valuable. This change allows approximately 50% more light to reach the sensor, enhancing performance especially in challenging low-light environments. Although it’s not a double increase, this noticeable boost in brightness could make a significant difference in everyday photo quality.

Sony's Latest Camera Sensor in Action

Image by Sony

Samsung Leads the Charge with the S26 Ultra

A Galaxy S26 Ultra render.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to launch at the end of January alongside the Galaxy S26 series, retains a similar camera lineup from its predecessor: a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto with 5x zoom, a 12 MP front selfie camera, and a standout 200 MP ISOCELL HP2 main sensor with the newly alleged f/1.4 aperture. It looks like Samsung is once again ready to set the pace, with its LYT-901 sensor confidently taking center stage before competitors like Oppo and Vivo release their models later in the year.

Why the Galaxy S25 Ultra Still Shines

The Galaxy S25 Ultra might donate its camera setup to the S26 Ultra. | Image by PhoneArena

Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the upcoming S26 Ultra stand as serious contenders in the smartphone photography space. Those who doubt their capabilities should check out real-world performance reviews of the S25 Ultra in Japan. It’s clear that these devices have contributed heavily to the decline of the compact camera market.