Galaxy S26 and S26+ Camera: Specs, Best Settings and Limits

Like the Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S26 and S26+ have a trio of cameras on the back, with 50MP, 12MP and 10MP cameras, but there are improvements all around those cameras, including a new chip, a wider-angle selfie camera and some software changes, like moving Night mode into Photo mode, a 24MP option and levelling the horizon while you shoot video.

If you were looking for the S26 Ultra, its 200MP camera has its own guide. Read on to find out how the Galaxy S26 and S26+ cameras perform, what they excel at, where they could improve and which settings we recommend you change.

Galaxy S26 and S26+ camera specs

What changed from the Galaxy S25

There’s no change on the back of the phone, as Samsung has kept the same trio of 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP 3x telephoto cameras, although this time they’re all sat within one pill-shaped camera island. Elsewhere, however, there have been changes:

• Photo Assist in Gallery can edit images based on your prompts (and will add a watermark indicating AI edits)
• 24MP option in Photo mode (can be enabled in Camera Assistant, the first Galaxy phones to get this option outside of Expert RAW)
• Selfie lens is now 23mm (slightly wider than the S25’s, so you can fit more people in group shots at arm’s length), and Samsung claims skin tones are more natural thanks to a new AI image processor
• Super Steady video mode gains a new Horizontal Lock (levels the horizon in videos even if you rotate the phone, available with the main camera at up to QHD 60fps)
• Dual Recording is now an option in Video mode (instead of having its own mode), and you can also choose between horizontal or new vertical split screen layout (the latter being new with One UI 9)
• Night mode is no longer its own mode by default; instead, you’ll see a moon icon (with Off, Auto and Max options) in dim lighting conditions while in Photo mode, and you can bring back the dedicated mode via Camera Assistant > Additional modes

GSMArena noticed sharper ultrawide night shots and just a touch warmer colours overall on the S26, though low-light 3x shots were better on the S25. Tom's Guide noticed only marginally brighter images. If you already have an S25, the camera alone isn't a reason to upgrade, and our Galaxy S25 camera guide has the best settings for it.

S26 vs S26+ vs S26 Ultra cameras

On paper, the S26 and S26+ have identical cameras, and in practice the differences are marginal at best. While GSMArena spotted different camera sensor names in the software of its review units and got marginally sharper pictures in low light with the S26+, most other reviewers saw no difference at all. For most people, the bigger display and battery will be the deciding factors when choosing between these two phones.

If low-light performance and zoom capabilities are your primary considerations, the S26 Ultra is in a league of its own thanks to its brighter 200MP primary camera and 5x telephoto camera. See our S26 Ultra camera guide for what the extra $400 gets you. Our S26 vs S26 Ultra comparison also covers the screens, batteries and current prices.

What reviewers found

Praise for S26’s camera has been fairly consistent:

• Android Central: Samsung’s best colour accuracy and dynamic range in years
• TechRadar: photos look a touch oversaturated, but good
• DXOMARK: saturated colour, wide dynamic range and a good balance of texture and noise

DXOMARK gave the S26’s camera a score of 146, good enough for 49th place in its camera rankings.

The S26’s camera is less impressive in low light. GSMArena found full-auto shots soft and noisy, SamMobile noticed blur when the subject moved, and DXOMARK also mentioned colour casts and lost detail.

One quirk: GSMArena found that the automatic Night option rarely kicks in. The moon icon only shows up when the S26 thinks conditions are dark enough, so it’s best to turn it on yourself when you see it.

The S26’s 3x telephoto has drawn more criticism than other aspects of its camera:

• Android Central: it isn’t especially good at anything
• Trusted Reviews: fine for portraits, but it can hunt for focus
• SamMobile: zoomed images are usable up to about 10x, before detail turns to watercolour

That’s partly because it has a small sensor. It’s best used in daylight.

Reviewers have been more positive about selfies. GSMArena rated them highly, and the wider lens should help when shooting group photos.

Video gets good marks too, and some reviewers singled out Horizontal Lock for praise (Tom’s Guide, SamMobile). Engadget experienced focus pumping with it enabled, though, and DXOMARK rated the video close to the Ultra’s, apart from some exposure fluctuation.

Recommended settings by situation

Settings to change first

What the S26 camera can't do

• Don’t expect sharp images at 3x in dim lighting, as the telephoto has a small sensor and will perform poorly compared to cropping in on 2x with the main camera.
• Night shots of moving people will be blurry because multiple shots are taken and blended together for night shots.
• Zoom shots beyond 10x start to look painted, and 30x is the maximum digital zoom.
• Close up shots with the ultrawide camera will be blurry because of fixed focus.
• 4K 120fps and the APV codec are Ultra exclusive features.

Should you buy the S26 for photography?

Those upgrading from an S22, S23 or older base model will probably be happy with the step up in video and camera performance (especially the software) that the S26 brings to the table. If you’re coming from an S25, though, you won’t see any hardware camera improvements, and many of the software goodies (like the new Dual Recording shortcut and Horizontal Lock) have already reached the S25 line with One UI 9.

If you’re a photography-focused buyer, also compare the S26 to the S26 Ultra, and to a discounted S25 Ultra with its 200MP primary camera and 5x telephoto camera. Our best Samsung phone for photography ranking covers all of the Galaxies available today, and the S26 FE camera guide covers the cheaper phone with a similar 3x camera.

Frequently asked questions