When it comes to a camera phone, no one should ignore Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 ultra … and overall Galaxy Ultra phones should be ignored. They have been strict, strong and capable. Nevertheless, many people choose to go with another brand -created phone.
Is this because Samsung’s ultra flagships are too expensive for some people?
Yes, money can certainly be a decisive factor. For example, the Galaxy S. 25 Ultra (12GB RAM, 256GB Storage – Baseline Model) was launched a few months ago at 3,300. With no counting of offers associated with various commercial offerings or career, I must say: 3,300 is very much. A year ago, I don’t know about about $ 550 from the Galaxy S24 rival (Snapdragon 8 general 3 boards, the same RAM and storage, as well as four 50 MP camera and its back, but you don’t know about it. Especially if I don’t get a difference of 50 550 in real life use. So, if I was just looking for a great camera phone, I would definitely consider the possibility of getting the S25 ultra … but I would definitely pass. At the end of the day, this is not just money. People also focus on hardware and species. As the popular and well -galaxy series can be, the truth is that when it comes to photography and video, Samsung does not offer the most impressive, modern hardware.
That’s why I almost popped the bottle of the total champagne almost when I stumbled from the following phoneda article title:
I was so convinced that this was a new main camera sensor that was promised. Good, I didn’t open a bottle of champagne, though: It turns out that this is a huge upgrade is a new, bright lens.
Now, don’t think me wrong – I’m all for the bright lenses (this is a lens called with a large aperture: “bright”). As a thumb rule, the aperture is just as good. Bright lenses are always better, more expensive, more premiums.
But I can’t even wash this proud taste in my mouth: When will Samsung step into the 1 -inch sensor area?
Large sensor or bright lens?
Galaxy S25 ultra for reference. | Photo by Fonina
When you hear about upgrades in the phone’s camera, most people immediately. Think about more megapixels or big sensors. But in fact, smartphone photography is a combination of many things.
Camera sensors are rapidly developed in smartphones. Although many flagship phones-especially Chinese brands such as Xiaomi and Oppo-first-in-type sensors have already been adopted, Samsung has been trapped on his ultra line with a small sensor. The S24 Ultra 1/1.3 “Icelon uses the HP2 sensor, which will be expected on the S25 ultra. While the 1/1.3” sensor is definitely large (compared to the mid -Rangers pack), it is still smaller than a 1 -inch sensor.
The obvious advantages of large sensors have: better low light performance, better dynamic range, and more natural depth of the field. Features such as Pixel Bining, which integrate multiple pixels into one for bright, clean images, help small censors stay competitive. The auto -focus system has also improved, with technologies such as double pixel and accuracy of laser focus. And, of course, PercOP lenses have become commonplace to obtain a long range zoom without compromising on the thickness of the phone.
Nevertheless, many people think that Samsung is behind not going to a big sensor. In 2025, a 1-inch sensor is not ground-breaking-I expect this from Samsung in the future. According to current rumors, this particular future is not happening in 2026. And while the size of the sensor is not everything, it is an important part of the equation, especially for a device that is marketed because the best camera can buy the amount of phone money.
What about apertures?
Galaxy S25 ultra for reference. | Photo by Fonina
This brings our lenses and apertures. Measured by F-Number like aperture-F/1.4 or F/2.2-tells you how wider the lens can be in light. The lower the number, the greater the opening, and the more light that is hit by the sensor. A bright (low F-number) lens can dramatically improve the image quality, especially in a low light situation. It allows sharp shutter speed and low ISO settings, both of which help reduce fading and noise. Again, reports show Galaxy S26 Ultra The S25 will improve indoor and night photography against the F/1.7 lens, a bright main lens will be found.
Does this have more than F -numbers?
Galaxy S25 ultra for reference. | Photo by Fonina
Expected change on S26 Ultra One is meaningful – but only one point. Once you cross a certain limit in the quality of the sensor, a huge lens is important. If your sensor is still relatively small, the benefits of bright lenses are limited. For example, the same APS-C sensor with the F/1.4 lens will improve the same sensor with the same sensor, especially with the F/2.2 lens. But if you shrink the sensor too far, even the best lenses cannot pay completely.
So, can be really bright? In some cases, yes. Although a wide aperture gives more light, it can also greatly reduce the depth of the field, especially on large sensors – which causes some parts of the theme to focus. It can also cause problems with lenses or softening on the edges of the frame.
Finally, the decision to upgrade the lens instead of the Samsung sensor is not meaningless – but it feels obligatory. For a phone line that markets itself as a camera King, hardware needs to reflect this ambition. A better lens is a good step. A big sensor would be a serious jump!
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