Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to launch in January 2026, could finally pack a larger main sensor — potentially allowing it to catch up with rivals from China in terms of camera hardware.
According to Chinese tipster Fixed Focus Digital, the Galaxy S26 Ultra might be equipped with a 1/1.1″ 200MP Sony CMOS sensor — potentially Sony’s first-ever 200MP sensor for smartphones. The leak, shared on Weibo, suggests a significant jump in hardware compared to the 1/1.3-inch ISOCELL HP2 sensor used in the last three generations of Galaxy S Ultra phones.
A larger sensor generally means better light capture, which could translate to sharper detail, improved low-light shots, and better digital zoom. If true, this would be one of the most significant hardware upgrades in the S26 Ultra and could drive a major leap in the phone’s imaging capabilities.
While Samsung currently leans on its in-house Exynos chips for both flagship and mid-range devices, a shift to a Sony sensor could signal a new strategy to stay competitive with brands like Xiaomi and Vivo, which already use larger and more advanced sensors in their premium phones.
That said, the leak isn’t definitive. Some sources suggest the Sony sensor might not be ready in time for the S26 Ultra and could be pushed back to the Galaxy S27 Ultra in 2027. Samsung could still use the ISOCELL HP2 for another year in its S Ultra phone.
According to previous reports, the other cameras on the S26 Ultra may receive iterative updates — such as a slightly higher-resolution 3x telephoto sensor and a revised lens setup for the main sensor. Interestingly, earlier rumors suggested that no major camera upgrades would arrive for the Galaxy S Ultra series until 2028, which casts some doubt on the possible inclusion of a 1/1.1″ 200MP sensor in the S26 Ultra or even its successor. That said, all of this information is based on unofficial sources — and only time will tell what Samsung ultimately has planned for its next Ultra flagship.
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