It has been broadly reported in latest weeks that Samsung does not appear to be its planning any main digital camera {hardware} upgrades for subsequent yr’s flagship Galaxy S26 Extremely. Other than a rumored small bump in decision for the 3x telephoto module, early indicators level to the S26 Extremely inheriting the identical major digital camera and periscope telephoto module from the S25 Extremely.
However now Chinese language tipster Fastened Digital Focus has claimed on Weibo that the S26 Extremely might function a brand new sensor for its major (wide-angle) digital camera, particularly a 1/1.1″ 200MP Sony sensor. Sure, you learn that appropriately: Samsung, one of many principal producers of digital camera telephone picture sensors, is rumoured to be switching to arch rival Sony sensors, and for its flagship digital camera telephone, no much less.
It is a daring declare, and one I am deeply sceptical of. Although a 1/1.1″ sensor can be marginally bigger in dimension than the 1/1.3″ ISOCELL HP2 sensor Samsung launched with the S23 Extremely and continues to make use of within the present S25 Extremely, it isn’t essentially a big sufficient dimension distinction to supply a significant enhance in picture high quality. What’s extra, switching to a unique sensor of the identical decision additionally limits any advertising and marketing profit, whereas binning Samsung’s personal sensor tech in favour of a competitor’s chip can be a advertising and marketing nightmare.
The tip says there’s an opportunity the alleged sensor may very well seem within the following S27 Extremely reasonably than subsequent yr’s S26, presumably as a result of the chip may not be prepared in time for the normal January launch window for Samsung’s flagship telephone. Both approach, the prospect of Samsung switching to a non-Samsung picture sensor for its halo digital camera telephone simply does not appear believable to me. The change appears much more unlikely on condition that Sony is but to launch a coloration digital camera telephone sensor something near 200MP in decision.
If Samsung does determine to improve the first digital camera sensor for the S26 Extremely, it’d appear extra seemingly that it will match a brand new, home-grown ISOCELL chip to showcase the Korean model’s imaging prowess. And albeit it must, as recycling that very same HP2 sensor yr in, yr out, is disappointing for shoppers and it leaves Samsung weak to the competitors implementing bigger, extra trendy sensors of their flagship digital camera telephones.