Samsung appears poised to make a major leap in mobile photography and videography with the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. The flagship smartphone is expected to deliver a substantial overhaul in camera capabilities-not only in photography, but especially in video recording, an area where Samsung aims to compete directly with Apple.

New lines of code discovered in One UI 8.5 suggest that Samsung is developing advanced tools for content creators, positioning the S26 Ultra as a high-performance video device.

Camera Assistant evolves for filmmakers

The tech community has been buzzing with speculation around Samsung’s next big camera push, and these new software insights further fuel that anticipation. The leaked code confirms that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will introduce several new features under the Camera Assistant suite.

Although not officially confirmed, it's likely that these new video tools will be exclusive to the S26 Ultra. Even the still-recent S25 Ultra may not benefit from these upgrades, suggesting Samsung wants to clearly differentiate the Ultra tier from other Galaxy models.

The upgrades focus heavily on video-but are built upon the same foundations that have made Camera Assistant a powerful tool for still photography.

One standout addition is a setting that lets users control the “softness” of their video footage. Much like image filters for photos, users can now define how sharp or natural their videos should look. The leaked system code indicates three levels: Off, Medium, and High. Opting for a softer tone may reduce sharpness slightly, but it could offer a more cinematic, polished feel-especially useful for vlogs and interviews.

Samsung is also adding granular control over autofocus speed and responsiveness while filming. This will allow users to choose whether the camera should focus quickly and assertively, or more gradually and smoothly when new subjects enter or exit the frame. These settings are especially useful for creators working with dynamic or unpredictable scenes.

A full camera revamp on the horizon?

Samsung has been frequently criticized for reusing the same camera sensors across multiple flagship generations. This time, it seems the company is responding.

The S26 Ultra is rumored to reintroduce a rear camera "island" design, which may accommodate a wider aperture setup-potentially improving low-light performance and enhancing depth control.

While there's still conflicting information about whether the sensors themselves will be significantly upgraded, the new software features alone already hint at a fundamental shift. If these Camera Assistant improvements remain exclusive to the S26 Ultra, it could be a bold-but polarizing-move.

The deeper question is whether Samsung is preparing for a comprehensive overhaul of the Ultra series’ entire camera system.

As Apple gears up for the iPhone 18, Samsung’s S26 Ultra may emerge as its fiercest rival-particularly in video quality, low-light performance, and custom camera controls. If Samsung can deliver a truly creator-focused experience, it may well reclaim the crown in the mobile imaging race.

Beyond answering past criticisms, the Galaxy S26 Ultra reflects Samsung’s determination to lead the future of smartphone cameras-not just with specs, but with thoughtful, creator-driven features.

Hai Phong