Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Sharpens Camera With 47% Brighter Wide Lens and 100x AI Zoom
Updated
Updated · TechRadar · May 28
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Sharpens Camera With 47% Brighter Wide Lens and 100x AI Zoom
6 articles · Updated · TechRadar · May 28
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is positioned as a clear camera upgrade over the S25 Ultra, with gains spanning low-light shots, zoom, selfies, video and AI editing.
A 200MP main camera with an f/1.4 aperture delivers 47% more brightness, while the 50MP telephoto’s f/2.9 aperture brings in 37% more light, backed by a new AI-powered ISP and updated ProVisual Engine.
Zoom remains a headline feature with 3x telephoto, 5x periscope, 10x optical-quality zoom and 100x AI Space Zoom, while software processing is pitched as producing cleaner detail at long range.
Video and creator tools also expand: Super Steady Horizontal Lock improves stabilization, Audio Eraser cuts background noise, and APV codec support reduces storage use by about 10% during visually lossless editing.
Samsung says the S25 Ultra still handles well-lit everyday photos capably, but the S26 Ultra’s biggest edge comes in tougher scenarios and more advanced editing workflows.
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera a revolutionary leap or just a subtle refinement over last year's model?
Is Samsung's return to physical apertures an admission that AI photography has finally reached its limits?