Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Could Feature a 200MP Periscope Camera for Superior Zoom

Summary

Samsung may equip the Galaxy S26 Ultra with a 200MP periscope camera for enhanced zoom performance.
Vivo already uses a similar 200MP periscope sensor on its flagship devices, delivering exceptional image quality and natural bokeh at higher zoom levels.
A 200MP periscope sensor could lead to a bulky camera bump, presenting a design challenge.

The Galaxy S25 hasn’t hit the market yet, but rumors about the Galaxy S26 lineup are already circulating. Samsung has made minimal changes to the camera systems on its recent flagship phones, and leaks suggest the Galaxy S25 Ultra might follow the same path with no notable upgrades. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could break this trend by introducing a larger 200MP periscope camera for superior zoom capabilities.

Samsung’s Potential Strategy: A 200MP Periscope Shooter

Chinese manufacturer Vivo has already implemented a 200MP 1/1.4-inch periscope camera in its flagship devices like the Vivo X100 Ultra and X200 Pro. This sensor delivers unmatched image quality, capturing more light while producing sharp details and natural bokeh at zoom levels of 3.7x and higher. Interestingly, Vivo uses a Samsung-made 200MP sensor, the same module that serves as the primary shooter on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Now, Samsung seems ready to adopt a similar strategy. According to leaker Digital Chat Station (via GSMArena), the company is exploring the use of a 200MP periscope sensor for its future flagship phones. This periscope sensor would complement the existing 200MP primary camera, significantly boosting zoom performance. The rumored sensor size is 1/1.5 inches, slightly smaller than the 1/1.4-inch sensor used by Vivo.

In addition to Vivo, Xiaomi is also reportedly planning to include a 200MP periscope sensor in its upcoming flagship, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

Addressing the Challenge of a Bulky Camera Bump

One downside of using a large 200MP periscope shooter is the vertical space required, leading to a noticeable camera bump on Ultra flagship devices. That said, the leap in image quality may justify the trade-off for most users. Given Samsung’s lack of meaningful camera upgrades in recent years, a larger bump is unlikely to deter its loyal fanbase.

It’s worth noting that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is still over a year away from launch, and Samsung’s plans could evolve significantly in that time. The company might even incorporate its newly announced ALoP (Advanced Lens-over-Periscope) camera technology, which reduces telephoto lens thickness by up to 22% compared to traditional folded zoom sensors.

The coming months will reveal how Samsung plans to tackle the challenges and opportunities of a 200MP periscope camera.

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