Four improvements to the Galaxy S26 Ultra cameras that Samsung didn’t talk about

Samsung introduced a major hardware upgrade to the single camera with the Galaxy S26 Ultra by increasing the apertures of their 200MP main cameras and 50MP telephoto cameras. This allows more light to reach the sensors, resulting in brighter, cleaner, and sharper photos and videos. However, there are four additional camera improvements that Samsung did not highlight.

The more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Galaxy processor used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra allows Samsung to improve the camera performance, although the phone uses the same sensors found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

For years, Samsung has allowed users to capture photos at a full 200MP resolution. However, those images are not as refined as 12MP images due to limited multi-frame HDR and noise reduction processing. With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, users can now capture the best 200MP photos thanks to multi-frame HDR processing.

Samsung says these 200MP images are clearer, more detailed, and offer a wider dynamic range compared to the 200MP images taken on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and previous Galaxy S series models.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t have a virtual aperture system, but Samsung does offer a Virtual Aperture feature that lets users adjust the aperture digitally. The phone simulates depth of field and other image characteristics based on the selected aperture value.

This feature was released with the Galaxy S25 Ultra but was previously limited to the RAW Professional app. Samsung has now integrated it with Portrait Mode for the stock camera app. With this addition, users can adjust the bokeh effect when taking portrait photos of people or pets.

Samsung’s Ultra models traditionally offer 12MP, 50MP, and 200MP shooting modes. Although 50MP and 200MP images provide more detail than 12MP images, 12MP images generally deliver better colors and dynamic range.

With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung introduced a new 24MP resolution option in the stock camera app. This mode combines a 12MP multi-frame processed image with a 50MP high-resolution image using a system called AI Fusion. The resulting 24MP image delivers more detail than a 12MP image while maintaining the same color accuracy and dynamic range.

However, this feature must be enabled through Samsung’s camera app, which is not pre-installed on the device. Users need to download it from Galaxy Store.

If you remember seeing the 24MP mode on Samsung phones before, you’re right. It was previously available in the RAW Professional app, designed for advanced users who prefer manual controls. The new 24MP mode in the stock camera app is designed for everyday photography.

A Motion Photo is a short video clip shot next to a still image. It includes a few seconds before and after the shutter button is pressed. This feature has been available on high-end Galaxy phones for years, but it’s getting a useful update with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

If the Auto option is enabled, Motion Picture is recorded only when sufficient motion is detected in the scene. If you shoot a still scene, such as a landscape with no visible movement, the Motion Picture will not be saved.