Galaxy S26 Ultra Update Tames 24MP 10x Zoom, Extending Usable Range to 14.9x

6 articles · Updated · SammyGuru · May 19

Samsung’s second April camera update cuts the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s heavy oversharpening at 10x in 24MP mode, making images look closer to the cleaner rendering previously associated with 12MP.
The change pushes the practical 24MP zoom ceiling from about 9.9x to roughly 14.9x, reducing the need to switch modes immediately after crossing the 10x threshold.
At 15x and beyond, computational processing becomes aggressive again, so 12MP remains the safer choice for more natural-looking shots, especially in distant or lower-light scenes.
In strong light, 24MP can still preserve extra perceived detail on very distant subjects, making the choice between 24MP and 12MP more scene-dependent than before.
The update suggests Samsung is dialing back edge enhancement and micro-contrast at long zoom, relying more on optical data for a less artificial rendering style.

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