Explore the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera specs, including smaller sensors vs competitors like vivo X300 Ultra, plus S Pen Bluetooth support missing. Learn about computational photography and battery life.
© A. Krivonosov
Samsung continues to take a conservative approach with its flagship smartphone cameras, focusing on computational power and artificial intelligence rather than larger physical sensors. The new Galaxy S26 Ultra will retain four rear cameras, offering versatility across different focal lengths, but its camera modules are notably smaller than those of competitors. For instance, the vivo X300 Ultra features larger sensors that capture more light, improve low-light photography, and deliver more detailed images, especially in dim conditions.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra's key hardware distinction is an additional periscope camera for high-quality shots, though this advantage may be offset by the smaller size of its other modules. In practice, computational photography effectiveness will matter more, with Samsung relying on sophisticated algorithms and AI to enhance images. However, software capabilities have their limits, and over time, hardware specs become the decisive factor for quality.
Beyond cameras, the Galaxy S26 Ultra lacks Bluetooth support for the S Pen stylus, which could affect the convenience of note-taking and drawing. The device is also expected to feature a 5000 mAh battery, with leaks suggesting battery life similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, despite earlier predictions from insider Momentary Digital hinting at longer endurance.
Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains an intriguing flagship with strong potential thanks to its computational features and extra sensors, but its camera sizes and S Pen limitation might be weak points compared to rivals like the vivo X300 Ultra. For now, we'll need to wait for official tests to see how the smartphone performs in real-world shooting scenarios.