Galaxy S26 Ultra periscope camera: Improved brightness but more difficult to shoot macro.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrades the periscope camera aperture for brighter photos, but the new lens design may increase the minimum focusing distance when shooting macro.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to bring significant changes to its optical system, focusing on light-gathering capabilities but also creating new challenges for close-up photography. According to leaks, the new telephoto lens design could change the usage habits of users who love telephoto macro photography.
Improving the aperture helps optimize low-light photography capabilities.
Although the Galaxy S26 Ultra maintains the same sensor resolution as its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung has refined the lens hardware. Specifically, both the 200MP main camera and the 50MP periscope telephoto camera have wider apertures. In theory, a wider aperture allows more light to enter the sensor, significantly improving detail and reducing noise when shooting in low-light conditions.
Circular lens design comes at the cost of focusing distance.
The most notable change lies in the physical structure of the periscope telephoto lens. Instead of using a rectangular design like previous generations, the S26 Ultra will switch to a circular aperture. This design makes the camera module more compact, supporting the trend of optimizing the slimness of smartphone bodies.
However, this structural change comes with a technical drawback: the minimum focusing distance has increased. According to tech observers like Alvin and Sankew on the social network X, this makes the Galaxy S26 Ultra's telephoto camera unable to focus as close as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Users will have more difficulty taking macro photos with the zoom lens, which has been a strength of recent Samsung flagships.
Upgraded charging speed and processing performance.
Besides the camera system, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is also expected to significantly improve its power technology. The device is rumored to support 60W fast charging, higher than Samsung's current standard. In real-world tests, charging speeds may be even more impressive than the theoretical specifications.
Expected specifications for the Galaxy S26 Series
Below is a summary of the specifications based on leaked information for the three versions of the Galaxy S26 Series:
| Parameter | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26 Plus | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor chip | Exynos 2600 (2nm) | Exynos 2600 (2nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB |
| Screen | 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.7-inch QHD+ | 6.9-inch 2K 120Hz |
| Main camera | 50MP | 50MP | 200MP |
| Batteries & Chargers | 4300 mAh (25W) | 4900 mAh (45W) | 5000 mAh (60W) |
Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is an upgrade focused on night photography performance and charging speed. While the increase in minimum focusing distance may be debatable, it could be a necessary trade-off to optimize the overall design and image quality in challenging lighting conditions.
Sources from Sammobiles confirm that this product line is expected to officially launch and reach consumers in early March 2026.
