In a surprising leak that has stirred excitement in the tech community, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a 200MP camera sensor developed by Sony—a major departure from Samsung’s long-standing reliance on its in-house ISOCELL sensors.
According to tipster Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could come equipped with a 1/1.1-inch Sony sensor, a noticeable upgrade from the 1/1.3-inch ISOCELL HP2 sensor found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While the resolution remains at 200MP, the increase in sensor size could unlock significant camera improvements, such as:
- Improved low-light photography
- Enhanced full-resolution 200MP image clarity
- Wider dynamic range
- Sharper cropped zoom images
This rumored switch signals a bold move by Samsung, which has historically focused more on software and image processing than hardware changes. Previous Ultra models, including the S23 Ultra and S25 Ultra, reused the same 200MP sensor with only minor optimizations.
If the leak proves accurate, this would mark Sony’s first foray into 200MP smartphone sensors—and Samsung’s first time sourcing a major camera component from its key competitor. It suggests Samsung might be pivoting toward prioritizing image quality through superior hardware rather than depending entirely on AI and software enhancements.
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A Strategic Move in the Flagship Camera Race
While some flagship phones from brands like Xiaomi and Vivo have adopted 1-inch sensors for professional-grade photography, Samsung’s rumored 1/1.1-inch sensor could significantly narrow that performance gap.
No official confirmation has been made by Samsung, but multiple leaks now suggest that the S26 Ultra will retain a 200MP main camera—with a twist. If true, this could be Samsung’s most daring imaging upgrade yet, reshaping the expectations for mobile photography in 2026.
