The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, set for release in January, could feature a significant upgrade to its camera system. 
According to recent rumors from China, the flagship phone may come equipped with a massive Sony sensor, marking a big leap forward for Samsung’s camera technology.
The rumored sensor is Sony’s upcoming 1/1.1″ type with an impressive 200 MP resolution. This will be Sony’s first sensor with such a high pixel count. In comparison, the current Galaxy S25 Ultra uses Samsung’s ISOCELL HP2 sensor, also 200 MP, but smaller at 1/1.3″. The larger size of the Sony sensor would allow for more light to be captured, enhancing photo quality, especially in low-light conditions.
However, there is some uncertainty about whether Samsung will use this Sony sensor in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Some sources suggest that the switch to the Sony sensor may be pushed back to the Galaxy S27 Ultra, slated for release in 2027. Despite this, fans are hopeful that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will indeed feature this exciting new sensor.
In addition to the camera, many users are hoping for improvements to other aspects of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Some have pointed out the need for a larger battery and a more powerful telephoto camera sensor, such as a 50 MP sensor capable of 8K video recording. There are also calls for Samsung to collaborate with well-known camera brands, similar to what competitors like Xiaomi and Oppo have done with Leica and Hasselblad, respectively.