Summary
- Samsung could use the Galaxy S24 Ultra's 50MP 1/2.52-inch 0.7μm telephoto sensor on the S26 Ultra and S27 Ultra.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra could downgrade the 3x telephoto camera from a 12 MP lens to a 10 MP one.
- Software-side optimisations could still be introduced to better the image processing but that could be about it.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S27 Ultra may not bring the camera upgrades you were hoping for. As per new leaks, the phones could reuse the Galaxy S24 Ultra's telephoto sensor for the upcoming Ultras through 2027.
Well-known tipster Ice Universe took to X to claim that Samsung will be reusing the 50 MP 1/2.52-inch 0.7μm telephoto sensor of the Galaxy S24 Ultra across four generations of its Ultra flagships.
I'm going to continue exposing the dirty laundry of Samsung's camera plans: they plan to use the same 1/2.52" 0.7μm 50MP backward telephoto sensor for four consecutive years in the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Ultra, and Galaxy S27 Ultra. Yes, just like the HP2…
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) September 11, 2025
If the leak is accurate, it would mean that the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Galaxy S27 Ultra all share identical hardware for the main telephoto shooter. That's particularly disappointing since the top-of-the-line Ultra should ideally be refreshed with better camera tech every once in a while.
The disappointment doesn't end there, as the tipster also previously suggested that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could downgrade its 12 MP 3x telephoto camera to shoot at 10 MP. This could potentially affect image quality and versatility in telephoto shots.
Another news, I have been afraid to tell you, I am worried that you are angry.
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) September 10, 2025
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's new 3x sensor is actually degraded, with only 10mp f 2.4 1/3.94 1.0um，It is smaller than the current S25 Ultra IMX754.
Therefore, it is true that I propose that Samsung…
However, this isn't the first time Samsung has reused camera sensors across multiple generations. The 200 MP ISOCELL HP2 primary rear camera and Sony IMX754 telephoto sensor have already been used for several years. Although it's obvious that Samsung will bring forth improvements to AI-powered image processing and software optimisations, there's only so much it can offset.
Samsung's UItras are known for their cutting-edge cameras and a four-year hardware stretch could be considered stagnation by some.
