- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra rumored to use a smaller, weaker 10MP 3x zoom sensor.
- Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro upgrades to a powerful 48MP 4x zoom with 8x optical-quality reach.
- The S26 Ultra could still pack a strong 50MP 5x zoom lens but may disappoint at everyday zoom levels.
- A thicker 4.5mm camera bump could also make the phone feel chunkier than its predecessor.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated flagships of 2025. But if the latest leaks are accurate, the device could launch with a telephoto camera that actually takes a step backwards from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. That would be a curious move, especially with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro family pulling off its biggest telephoto upgrade to date.
Tech leaks are always a mix of excitement and dread, but this one has fans worried. Let’s break it down.
A Camera Downgrade Nobody Ordered
Leaks from the reliable tipster @UniverseIce suggest that Samsung is not changing much with the S26 Ultra’s 10MP 3x optical zoom lens, except for one key detail and it is not a good one. The new camera will allegedly use a smaller sensor with smaller pixels.
For context, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 3x zoom used a 1/3.52-inch sensor with 1.12µm pixels. The S26 Ultra is said to shrink that down to a 1/3.94-inch sensor with 1.0µm pixels. The numbers may sound small, but they matter a lot in photography. Bigger pixels can capture more light, which typically means brighter, sharper, and more detailed photos. Shrinking them often means more noise and less clarity, especially in low-light conditions.
The leaker went as far as saying “there is no possibility of change,” implying that this is a locked-in decision by Samsung rather than a prototype tweak. If true, the S26 Ultra’s 3x telephoto shots may not be as strong as last year’s model. That is not the sort of marketing line Samsung will want to highlight on stage.
Apple Is Flexing Its Zoom Muscles
While Samsung might be scaling down, Apple is scaling up. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max both introduce a major telephoto upgrade. Apple has replaced its old 12MP 5x zoom camera with a new 48MP 4x zoom sensor.
That is not all. Thanks to advanced image processing, the iPhones can now deliver 8x optical-quality zoom images at 12MP resolution. Combine that with the main camera’s ability to shoot at 2x optical zoom, and the result is a flexible system that covers everything from subtle crops to distant captures.
The contrast here is striking. On one side, Apple is flexing with a telephoto lineup that looks more powerful than anything it has shipped before. On the other, Samsung seems to be locking in a downgrade at a time when its rival is going all in.
Two Telephotos Are Better Than One… Right?
Before Samsung fans start panicking, it is worth remembering that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is still expected to feature two telephoto lenses. Alongside the rumored downgraded 10MP 3x zoom, the phone will likely keep a 50MP 5x zoom camera, which already exists on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
That second camera will continue to give Samsung a strong showing for long-range zoom shots. However, the smaller 3x sensor could affect performance in everyday photography, where moderate zoom levels are more commonly used than extreme telephoto shots. In other words, the camera you might use more often could end up being the weaker one.
Samsung has built its reputation around versatile, powerful cameras. If one of its main sensors slips behind expectations, it risks giving Apple the upper hand in a market where photography is often the biggest selling point.
The Chunky Monkey Camera Bump
As if the camera downgrade was not enough, @UniverseIce also leaked that the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera housing will be noticeably bulkier. The bump is said to measure 4.5mm thick compared to just 2.4mm on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
That may not sound dramatic on paper, but in the hand, it could make the phone feel considerably chunkier. Some buyers already complain that Ultra models are too heavy or unwieldy, so increasing the bulk could be a risky move.
Why the extra thickness? According to the leak, Samsung is making room for a main camera with a larger aperture. A wider aperture generally means better low-light performance and improved background blur for portrait shots. That is a big plus, but whether it justifies doubling the bump size is another story.
Smartphone buyers tend to want thinner, sleeker designs, not thicker camera islands that wobble on the table. Samsung may need to sell the benefits loudly to convince people the trade-off is worth it.
The Balancing Act of Flagship Phones
The story of the Galaxy S26 Ultra so far is one of trade-offs. On the one hand, Samsung could deliver a better main camera and keep its impressive 50MP 5x zoom lens. On the other, it looks like the 3x zoom will take a hit, and the design may grow bulkier.
Meanwhile, Apple is making moves that highlight sharp upgrades without visible compromises. The company’s choice to go big with telephoto improvements makes the rumored downgrade on the Samsung side stand out even more.
The big question is whether Samsung’s rumored changes reflect a calculated strategy, perhaps optimizing for cost, power efficiency, or overall balance, or a compromise forced by design constraints. Whatever the reason, the optics are not great.
What Happens Next
Leaks always come with a warning label: nothing is final until the company makes it official. Samsung could surprise everyone with software magic that offsets the smaller sensor, or the leak itself might miss part of the bigger picture.
What seems certain is that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will debut in early 2025, most likely in January, following Samsung’s usual launch calendar. Until then, the rumor mill will keep spinning, and fans will keep debating whether this is a genuine downgrade or just a misunderstood design choice.
For now, one thing is clear. Apple has thrown down the gauntlet with its biggest telephoto leap yet, and Samsung’s answer may not be the one people were expecting.
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