Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Telephoto camera specs leaked

With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra still many months away, the rumor mill is already in full swing, painting a picture of what to expect from the 2026 flagship. Following recent reports confirming the continued use of a 200MP main sensor, new details have now emerged regarding the Ultra model’s telephoto camera system. A credible leak suggests that Samsung may be opting for consistency over dramatic change, planning to carry over a key piece of hardware from its predecessors.

New information regarding the camera system of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has surfaced, indicating that the device will likely feature a familiar telephoto camera setup. According to a report from the reliable publication GalaxyClub, Samsung plans to equip its next-generation flagship with the same 5x optical zoom camera sensor found in its direct predecessors.

The report specifies that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra5x telephoto camera will be a 50MP sensor with a 1/2.52-inch size and 0.7µm pixels, complete with Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This hardware is identical to the 5x zoom camera used in the Galaxy S24 Ultra and is also expected to be featured in the yet-to-be-released Galaxy S25 Ultra.

This new information appears to temper previous, more ambitious rumors that suggested Samsung might integrate a 200MP ISOCELL sensor for one of the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s telephoto cameras. While that possibility is not entirely ruled out for the phone’s second telephoto unit (likely the 3x or 10x equivalent), this leak clarifies that at least one of the zoom lenses will stick with the proven 50MP sensor. Details about the second telephoto module remain undisclosed for this upcoming Android device.

This strategy of hardware continuity aligns with Samsung’s approach to other components in its camera array. The primary camera is widely expected to remain a 200MP sensor, while the ultrawide camera will likely be the same 50MP sensor that was introduced with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. With three of the four rear camera sensors now seemingly identified, the main outstanding question is what sensor Samsung will use for its second zoom lens.

While a sensor hardware upgrade for the 5x telephoto camera may not be on the cards, other camera improvements are still rumored for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Previous reports have claimed that Samsung could introduce a variable aperture to the main lens to enhance optical performance in various lighting conditions. Another report suggested the company is working on developing slimmer camera modules, which could reduce the overall camera bump on the back of the phone.

Ultimately, it appears Samsung’s strategy for the Galaxy S26 Ultra may focus on refining the user experience through software and computational photography enhancements, rather than pursuing headline-grabbing changes to every hardware component.