Chinese flagship phones are starting a trend with 200MP periscope telephoto lenses in their cameras. Phones like the Vivo X200 Pro and X200 Ultra, as well as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, are already using these huge camera sensors. Now, Samsung is feeling the pressure to keep up.
A leak from Digital Chat Station on Weibo suggests that the Galaxy S26 Ultra might include a 200MP periscope telephoto camera next year. Samsung is considering using a 1/1.5" sensor, which is a bit smaller than the 1/1.4” sensor used in the X200 Ultra.
Unfortunately, it seems that the S25 Ultra won’t have this feature. If Samsung decides to go ahead with it, we may have to wait until next year for the S26 Ultra. The upcoming S25 Ultra doesn’t have many major hardware changes, but it will have a redesigned look.
While Samsung has fallen behind in this area, a 200MP telephoto camera could help them catch up in zoom photography. However, Samsung hasn’t fully decided if it’s the right choice for their latest Ultra model. So, there’s still a chance they might change their mind.
There are also rumors that the S26 Ultra might be called the S26 Note, moving away from the usual naming style. Another leak says the S26 series could have different models with names like Pro and Plus.
Additionally, some leaks suggest that the Galaxy S26 series might get a new battery with better energy capacity, possibly increasing the charging speed to 65W. This could be a sign that older Li-ion batteries might be replaced in premium phones soon.
Even if these rumors are true, it's still too early to know if the S25 Ultra's successor will have these features. It's best not to take everything at face value and wait for more details before drawing any conclusions.