According to PhoneArena, tech leaker Universe Ice posted an image on social media platform X showing the metadata of a photo believed to be taken with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s main camera.

While the camera is still expected to feature the familiar 200MP sensor, the crucial difference lies in the widened aperture - now at F1.4 - allowing significantly more light intake compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s main camera.

In previous reviews, night shots on the Galaxy S25 Ultra showed modest improvement over the S24 Ultra but failed to impress. With this aperture expansion, the S26 Ultra could offer a more dramatic leap in night photography.

Despite the change in aperture, the S26 Ultra is rumored to retain the ISOCELL HP2 sensor.

This sensor measures 1/1.3 inches, features 0.6μm pixel size, and supports 10-bit and 12-bit RAW image capture.

With Dual Slope Gain and Smart ISO Pro technologies, the sensor is capable of capturing wide dynamic range images, reducing overexposure, and preserving details in challenging conditions.

It also supports pixel binning, offering three resolution options: 12.5MP, 50MP, and the full 200MP.

While the S26 Ultra’s four-camera system may not see sweeping changes, one small but notable hardware shift could be the replacement of the current 10MP telephoto lens with a 12MP unit offering 3x optical zoom.

Though not a major leap, these subtle upgrades could contribute to a significantly improved overall camera experience.

Processing power plays a vital role

Great smartphone cameras rely not only on hardware - and Samsung seems to understand that well. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will run on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, delivering stronger and smarter image processing.

On top of that, Samsung reportedly plans to upgrade the device’s RAM.

While it may seem unrelated at first, faster RAM plays a key role in camera performance. It helps speed up night shot processing, reduces image noise, smooths continuous zoom operations, enhances preview quality, and improves real-time portrait mode rendering.

Especially for high-resolution formats like 8K or 120fps video, faster RAM keeps the device stable and minimizes dropped frames.

Additionally, the Galaxy S26 series is rumored to support the Advanced Professional Video (APV) encoding standard, allowing more flexibility in editing and post-production - ideal for professional users.

Big expectations for Galaxy S26 Ultra

For users who frequently shoot in low light, the new F1.4 aperture is a game-changer. Better light capture means less noise, sharper detail, and quicker shutter speeds - making it easier to snap a clear photo without holding still too long.

Combined with a large sensor, updated algorithms, and faster memory, Samsung may deliver one of the best night photography performers in the flagship space.

Faster, more accurate shots are also a common user wish. No one wants to miss a perfect moment waiting for the phone to process the image.

If these enhancements come to life, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may go beyond just impressive specs - it could offer a genuinely superior user experience.

Leaked details suggest Samsung is taking its camera ambitions seriously with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

From a larger aperture and faster RAM to a powerful chip and new video codec support, every element appears designed to elevate both photography and videography.

Should Samsung bring all these upgrades together successfully, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could become one of the most well-balanced flagship phones on the market - powerful in performance, exceptional in camera quality, and practical in everyday use.

Hai Phong