Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features 200MP camera and 5x zoom, but iPhone 17 Pro leads in low-light and portrait photography. Compare mobile camera performance.
© A. Krivonosov
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S26 Ultra with significant camera upgrades. The device features a new 200-megapixel main sensor with a bright f/1.4 aperture, along with an enhanced 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera offering 5x zoom. These improvements aim to deliver better detail in low-light conditions, richer colors, and natural-looking portraits with smooth background blur.
In practice, the enhancements are noticeable. Photos taken with the Galaxy S26 Ultra now show less noise, while white balance and skin tones appear more realistic.
Despite Samsung's progress, initial DxOMark tests confirm that the iPhone 17 Pro maintains its lead. Apple's camera produces sharper photos in challenging lighting conditions, excels at subject separation in portraits, and demonstrates reliable autofocus performance even in complex scenes. Compared to the new Galaxy S26 Ultra, the iPhone 17 Pro's portrait shots look more natural, with fine background details remaining crisp—an area where the Samsung phone sometimes falls short.
Experts note that while the Galaxy S26 Ultra's improvements are significant, they're not yet enough to fully catch up with Apple. The iPhone 17 Pro continues to set the standard for mobile photography, combining high detail, quality image processing, and consistent performance across all conditions. Samsung is gradually closing the gap, but Apple's leadership remains undisputed.