How to Use the Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera: Tips and Tricks

By default, the Galaxy S26 Ultra captures 12MP images and makes most of the choices for you, including which camera to use and how aggressive to be with noise reduction in dark environments. This is all well and good for casual snaps, but several options that make shooting quicker and more consistent are buried a couple of submenus down, and one of the best requires a different app.

The S26 Ultra's cameras at a glance

According to spec pages from Samsung and GSMArena, the S26 Ultra has four cameras on the back, the same layout as the S25 Ultra. Two of the zoom options (2x and 10x) are simply crops of the 200MP and 50MP sensors. Closest focus distances come from GSMArena’s review.

The biggest change is the 5x. Instead of a periscope, Samsung has implemented a smaller prism module called ALoP (All Lens on Prism), and the lens can open up to f/2.9, as opposed to f/3.4 on the S25 Ultra.

The downside is close focus capability. While Samsung’s own support page recommends focusing at 80cm or farther away (as opposed to 30cm on the S25 Ultra), GSMArena found that the closest the camera could focus was around 52cm, twice as far as the S25 Ultra’s 26cm.

First-day setup checklist

Samsung Galaxy S26 camera settings can be accessed by tapping the Quick controls (four-dot icon) and then the gear icon in the Camera app.

The settings listed on the Galaxy S26 support page should all be present, but note that as the Galaxy S26 was released with One UI 8.5 and began receiving One UI 9 in September 2026, some items may be located a little differently depending on the version installed.

1. 1

   Open the camera with the side button

   Head to Settings > Advanced features > Side button and enable Double press. Set it to Camera, then Open Camera, and you'll be able to launch the camera app with two quick presses of the side button.

2. 2

   Make the volume buttons a shutter

   In the Camera app's settings, head to Shooting methods and set Press Volume buttons to Take pictures or record video. This can help because pressing a physical button shakes the phone less than tapping the display does. You'll also find options for Voice commands and a Floating Shutter button here.

3. 3

   Turn on the level and grid

   You'll find a Composition guide option in the Camera app's General settings section. This controls the display of the level and gridlines in the viewfinder, and with One UI 9 you can enable just one or the other, or both at the same time. We'd recommend at least enabling the level, so you're aware if the horizon isn't straight before you take the shot, as cropping it straight in post-processing can result in you losing valuable pixels from the edge of the frame.

4. 4

   Pick your photo formats

   The S26 Ultra can shoot in the space-saving HEIF image format, and you can enable this for images captured in Photo mode and decide what format images captured in Pro mode are saved in under Photos > Photo format. If you do shoot in Pro mode and want a RAW file to make edits to, choose the RAW option so you get a DNG file as well as the processed image.

5. 5

   Decide on Scene optimizer (Scene detection)

   There's a Photo enhancer option in the Camera app's Intelligent features settings section, which controls whether the camera prioritises quality or speed when shooting in Photo mode. You'll also find the Scene optimizer control here, which automatically adjusts colour and exposure settings based on what the camera thinks it's looking at (post-One UI 9 update this is labelled Scene detection, and there are three Photo enhancer options ranging from Prioritize quality to Prioritize speed, as shown on a Galaxy S25 Ultra in November 2026). We'd leave this enabled for casual snaps, but do experiment with it switched off if you find colours are a little too rich for your liking.

6. 6

   Install Camera Assistant and turn on 24MP

   Samsung's free Camera Assistant app, available from the Galaxy Store, adds extra camera customisation options and once installed will be found under Good Lock Labs in the Camera app's settings menu (according to Samsung's Galaxy S26 user guide it's the final option in the General section, which is also where we find it with One UI 9). Tap 24MP resolution, enable 24MP in Photo mode and also enable Keep 24MP resolution. Our Camera Assistant guide covers its other switches, including Quick tap shutter.

7. 7

   Install Expert RAW

   Expert RAW is another free Samsung app available from the Galaxy Store that enables you to capture images as 16-bit linear DNG RAW files. This isn't something everyone will need, but if you do edit your images it's worth a look.

8. 8

   Check location tags

   You can enable or disable Location tags (found in the Camera app's General settings section), which embeds GPS data into images and videos you capture. Do switch it off before sharing images captured around the home!

Which lens to use for which subject

The 1x, 3x and 5x cameras have their own specialities. The 1x is the brightest and by far the biggest-sensored of the three, so it should be your first port of call indoors and at night. The 3x is the portrait camera, nicely framing head-and-shoulders from around 1.2m away. The 5x is handy for sport and other shots that need reach, but remember to keep your distance, as Samsung advises at least 80cm.

For closer work, flowers and food for example, you can focus at 18cm with the 1x camera and 22cm with the 3x. Really tiny things are the domain of Focus enhancer, which jumps back to the ultra-wide for close-ups. Samsung warns that shots may be blurry around the subject if you take Focus enhancer off for these.

Beyond 10x it's all digital zoom, so make sure you're braced up and consider anything from 30x and above to be a record shot.

Auto lens switching can be disabled in Camera Assistant. When enabled in dim lighting conditions, pictures taken with the 3x or 5x may actually be from the main camera (as its larger sensor allows it to capture more light). Disable this feature if you want to ensure that you’re taking pictures with the actual telephoto cameras. Our S26 Ultra zoom guide has standing distances for every lens.

Picking a resolution

Photo mode defaults to 12MP, and in low-light situations combining pixels helps produce the clearest possible image. This setting also works in tandem with all levels of magnification.

The S26 series adds a 24MP option in Camera Assistant, which also keeps the 3x and 5x zooms available and captures more detail to allow greater leeway for cropping.

The 50MP and 200MP modes capture maximum detail, but are best reserved for scenes that are both well lit and still.

Samsung’s support page notes that edited images will be provided at a maximum of 12MP when using generative features in Gallery’s Photo Assist. In the case of a 200MP image, the edited version will be smaller. Our 12MP vs 50MP vs 200MP guide compares the modes in more depth.

Photo, Pro, Expert RAW, Night or Portrait

As of One UI 8.5, the Night mode is now integrated into Photo mode. When shooting in a darker environment, you can tap the crescent moon icon at the bottom of the screen and choose between Off, Auto and Max.

Max takes longer than Auto, and displays the maximum exposure time it can achieve in the current conditions. Keep your phone as still as possible until it’s done capturing the image.

If you prefer to have Night mode back as its own mode, you can re-enable it in Camera Assistant under Additional modes.

Tucked away under the camera app's More option in the mode bar is Pro mode, where you can manually adjust ISO and shutter speed (the latter can be set for up to 30 seconds, making tripod use a must), as well as white balance and focus. With the One UI 8.5 update for Camera Assistant, Pro mode now also has presets, meaning you can save settings (including the lens you're using) for later use.

Expert RAW saves a 16-bit linear DNG alongside a JPEG and works on all four rear cameras. Also hidden away is Astrophoto (you'll need to set 12MP and then enable Special photo options), and Virtual Reflector, first seen on the S26 Ultra, which uses a virtual gold or silver reflector to help lighten someone's face if they're photographed against a bright background.

You can take Portrait mode photos at 1x, 2x, 3x and 5x. Ideally stand around 1.2m away from your subject for a head-and-shoulders portrait at 3x, but 2x is useful indoors where space is more limited. You can control the amount of blur applied before you take the shot, as well as after the event in Gallery.

Video settings

In Video mode, 8K recording is possible at 24 or 30fps, 4K at up to 120fps and Full HD at up to 240fps.

10-bit HDR recording is also available (selectable in the Video format option in the Camera settings menu).

For general shooting, 4K at 30fps is a good choice to keep file sizes down. If you want a more lifelike/smoother look for fast action (e.g. kids playing or sporting events), try 4K at 60fps.

There’s also a dedicated icon for Super steady at the top of Video mode. Its Horizontal lock option will keep the horizon level no matter how many somersaults you perform with your phone. Be aware, though, that according to Tom’s Guide stabilised video is only available up to QHD and 2x zoom, so you’ll have to switch it off to shoot at 8K or with the telephotos. Samsung also says it’s not available in Pro Video or Portrait Video, or with the front camera.

In Pro Video, Samsung Log is also available, which will shoot with a flat colour profile for greater grading control later, while a live LUT preview will apply colour corrections so what you see on your phone is more true to life. APV recording with significantly higher bitrates is also supported on the S26 Ultra.

Samsung claims 796Mbps for APV 422 HQ at 4K 30fps, compared with 35Mbps for HEVC HDR, so make sure you’ve got an exFAT-formatted SSD connected over a speedy USB cable before attempting lengthy clips. To enable these extra pro options, head to Camera settings, Video format, Professional video capture and you can then use the expanded set of options to select Log instead of the default HDR. Pro Video also offers 25, 50 and 100fps frame rates, which pair with 1/50s and 1/100s shutter speeds that avoid flicker under 50Hz mains lighting. In our Log video guide we cover exposure and grading.

Galaxy AI and Gallery tools worth knowing

Galaxy AI photo editing tools are mostly found in Gallery, with Photo Assist accessed by opening a photo and tapping on the pencil icon and then the blue circle with stars. Shot suggestions will show you a guide within the Camera app to help you frame your next masterpiece.

• Tap or outline the item or person you want to remove and the AI Eraser will fill in the gap. Our Object Eraser and Photo Assist guide shows how to get clean results.
• Use Move to drag and resize objects, or type in the edit you want with Create.
• Swap faces with Best face to add better expressions for up to five people (from a Motion photo, so leave Motion photo turned on for group photos!)
• Swipe up on the photo to get one-tap Edit suggestions like Erase reflections or Remaster.
• Pick the type of background sound you want removed from a video with Audio eraser.

Image editing tools powered by generative AI require a Samsung account and an internet connection. Images edited with these tools will include a Galaxy AI watermark. Edited images will be saved with a max resolution of 12MP. To preserve image quality, we recommend selecting Save as copy and retaining the original image.

What the S Pen can and can't do

The S Pen on the S26 Ultra doesn’t support Bluetooth (just like the S25 Ultra’s S Pen). As a result, Samsung notes on its support page that Air actions aren’t supported, meaning you can’t use the S Pen as a remote shutter or switch camera modes by flicking it.

To take a camera shot without touching the phone, you can use a Bluetooth camera remote, Voice commands (available under Shooting methods), or the timer function. You can also use Show palm to take selfies.

That said, the S Pen can be handy in the Gallery app. For instance, you can use it to highlight an object you want to remove with AI Eraser (more accurate than circling it with your finger) or draw a sketch for Sketch to image in Photo Assist.

11 lesser-known S26 Ultra camera tricks

With that done, let’s tackle some finer points and common pain points: blurry shots of kids, bursts not sticking around, lacklustre audio and preview colours that don’t quite look like they will in the final pics. All menu names here are as per the S26 Ultra running One UI 9, unless otherwise specified.

1. 1

   Swipe the shutter for bursts and drag it to lock video

   Touching and holding the shutter records video, so for a burst, swipe it off-screen and hold, or drag it onto the lock icon for hands-free recording. If swiping the shutter button makes a GIF, set Swipe Shutter button to edge to Take burst shot. (On Galaxy S25 Ultra with One UI 9, we found it in Camera Assistant.)

2. 2

   Set a minimum shutter speed for kids and pets

   Head to Camera Assistant, select Advanced Photo mode controls, and tap Minimum shutter speed. Choose 1/500s for indoor shots of kids and pets, 1/1000s for daytime sports, and 1/120s for low-light scenes (SamMobile reported a 1/60s step for One UI 9, which we didn't find on a Galaxy S25 Ultra). If the preview suddenly looks dark, Samsung suggests setting both Maximum ISO and Minimum shutter speed to None.

3. 3

   Use Night on Max and give the phone a support

   Since One UI 8.5, Photo mode has Night mode built in. Look for the crescent moon icon in low-light scenes and tap it. Choose Max and prop your phone against a railing or wall and wait for the shot to be taken. According to Samsung, Night mode merges 30 exposures, so anything that moves will be blurry. Our Night mode guide covers bracing.

4. 4

   Set Motion photo to Auto

   New for Galaxy S26 Ultra, Motion photo’s Auto mode will only capture video if there’s movement, as stationary scenes will end up as regular photos. You’ll still get a video if people are in the frame, which is handy, since Best face (in Gallery) requires a Motion photo to work on. Samsung claims it can enhance the facial expressions of up to five people.

5. 5

   Make a filter from a photo you love

   Head to Camera settings, Intelligent features, Custom filters, and choose an image from Gallery. Your Galaxy will create a filter based on the image’s colours and tones, which you can fine-tune with sliders (graininess, saturation, contrast, colour temperature, intensity) and name for future reference. Pick a reference photo shot in similar lighting conditions.

6. 6

   Add a watermark only when you mean it

   Under Camera settings, Photos, enable Watermark and customise the font, text, and date. Before entering photography contests, selling your shots online, or sending images to be printed, you might want to turn this off, because Samsung notes watermarks can’t be removed from photos.

7. 7

   Light backlit faces with Virtual Reflector

   After downloading Expert RAW from Galaxy Store, launch it and tap the flask-shaped Labs icon. Enable Virtual reflector, which works like the reflector photographers hold next to a person’s face to even out lighting, which is handy when shooting someone with a window or the sun behind them. You can adjust the angle of the virtual light source. Note that you may have to download Virtual reflector again from Labs after updating to One UI 9.

8. 8

   Keep the horizon level with Horizontal Lock

   In Video mode, tap the Super steady icon and enable Super steady with horizontal lock. Videos will remain horizontally aligned no matter how you rotate your phone. Tom’s Guide noticed it’s limited to 2x zoom and QHD 60fps, and Samsung says it isn’t available with Portrait Video, Pro Video, or the front camera.

9. 9

   Record cleaner sound with Zoom-in mic and Audio eraser

   Head to Camera settings, Videos, Audio options, and enable Zoom-in mic. Audio from the direction you zoom towards will be louder. Afterwards, open a video in Gallery and tap Edit, Audio eraser to mute or reduce background sounds (like wind). This also works on previously recorded videos.

10. 10

    Shoot star trails with Night hyperlapse

    In Camera, tap More, Hyperlapse, then tap the speed icon and choose Night 300x. Tap the Star trails icon, prop your phone on a tripod outside on a dark night with clear skies, and hit record. (For starry sky photos, use Expert RAW’s Astrophoto.)

11. 11

    Switch off Privacy display while you shoot

    Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy display obscures what’s on your phone when viewed from an angle, including when you hold it above your head at a concert or bend down to take a photo. Head to Settings, Display, Privacy display and make sure Camera and Gallery aren’t on the Apps list, or just turn off Privacy display from Quick settings. Android Central noticed that colours appear faded even when looking at your phone straight-on with Privacy display’s highest setting.

Quick reference by situation

Please see our S26 Ultra camera settings page for the starting values used for each scenario in Pro mode.

Fixing common S26 Ultra camera problems

Hardware gets a closer look in the S26 Ultra camera review, while S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra compares the new device to last year’s model.