As the anticipated launch of Samsung's next-generation flagship approaches, new details are emerging about potential camera improvements. The focus of the latest rumors is the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with insiders suggesting Samsung is targeting two long-standing photographic complaints: lens flare and inaccurate skin tones. This comes at a time when the company's camera performance is under increased scrutiny from the global market.
New Lens Coating Aims to Reduce Flare
According to a machine-translated post from prominent tipster Ice Universe on Weibo, Samsung plans to address problematic lens flare in the Galaxy S26 Ultra through enhanced lens and coating technology. Lens flare, caused by unwanted light scattering and reflections within a camera's optics, has been a common issue with many modern smartphones, including recent Samsung models and iPhones. The new coating is designed to minimize these internal reflections, potentially leading to cleaner images with better contrast, especially in challenging backlit or high-contrast scenes. This hardware-level fix suggests Samsung is listening to user feedback and seeking to improve the fundamental optical performance of its flagship device.
Reported Camera Issues & Proposed Fixes:
- Problem: Persistent lens flare in challenging lighting.
- Rumored Fix: New, enhanced lens coating technology to reduce internal reflections.
- Problem: Skin tones appearing unnaturally yellow in portraits.
- Rumored Fix: Combination of the new lens coating and adjustments to image processing software.
Software and Hardware Tweaks for Better Skin Tones
The same leak indicates that Samsung is also taking steps to correct a tendency for skin tones to appear unnaturally yellow in photos taken with its cameras. This adjustment is reportedly a combination of the new lens coating and changes to the image processing algorithms. Accurate color reproduction, particularly for portraits, is a critical benchmark for flagship smartphones. By tackling this issue, Samsung aims to deliver more natural and pleasing results straight out of the camera, reducing the need for manual color correction in post-processing and appealing to users who prioritize portrait photography.
Rumored Camera Specifications Point to Incremental Updates
While the coating and processing changes are notable, other rumored specifications for the S26 Ultra's camera system suggest a more iterative update. The primary sensor is again said to be a 200MP ISOCELL HP2, the same unit used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but with a potentially brighter f/1.4 aperture compared to the S25 Ultra's f/1.7. A brighter aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, which can improve low-light performance and enable more background blur (bokeh). The rest of the quad-camera array is rumored to include a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP periscope telephoto, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The persistence of a lower-resolution telephoto sensor has been a point of criticism for Samsung, as competitors often employ higher-resolution sensors for better detail in zoomed shots.
Rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Specifications (Based on Leaks):
| Lens | Rumored Sensor | Aperture (Rumored) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 200MP ISOCELL HP2 | f/1.4 | Same sensor as S25 Ultra, but with a brighter aperture (S25 Ultra: f/1.7). |
| Ultrawide | 50MP Samsung JN3 | Not Specified | - |
| Periscope Telephoto | 50MP Sony IMX854 | Not Specified | Used for high-magnification zoom. |
| Telephoto | 12MP Samsung S5K3LD | Not Specified | Likely the 3x or 5x optical zoom lens. |
| Front Camera | 12MP Sony IMX874 | Not Specified | - |
Context of Samsung's Camera Standing
These rumored changes arrive amidst a broader conversation about Samsung's position in the mobile photography landscape. Independent evaluators like DXOMark have ranked the current Galaxy S25 Ultra 22nd globally for camera quality, placing it behind several older-generation devices. Critics argue that while lens coatings and processing tweaks are welcome, they may not be sufficient to close the gap with rivals who are making more significant hardware leaps, such as adopting larger one-inch-type sensors. The pressure is on for Samsung to demonstrate that its 2026 flagship can offer a compelling camera experience that justifies the "Ultra" moniker and competes effectively in an increasingly crowded and capable market.
The Road to Unpacked
With Samsung's next Unpacked event likely just weeks away, these leaks paint a picture of a company focusing on refinement rather than revolution for its top-tier camera. The proposed fixes for flare and skin tones directly target specific user grievances, which could translate to a noticeably better day-to-day shooting experience. However, whether these incremental improvements, coupled with the rumored sensor specifications, will be enough to elevate the Galaxy S26 Ultra to the top of the camera rankings remains the central question. All will be revealed when Samsung officially unveils the device.