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| The Galaxy S26 Ultra will officially launch on February 25. |
The countdown is officially on. Samsung is set to unveil its next generation of flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S26 series, at its first Unpacked event of the year next week. The tech giant is expected to take the wraps off the standard Galaxy S26, the larger Galaxy S26 Plus, and the feature-packed Galaxy S26 Ultra. If recent rumors hold true, the event might also be the debut stage for the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, making it a busy morning for mobile enthusiasts.
However, as the launch date approaches, the narrative surrounding the S26 series is becoming increasingly complex. Samsung has already kicked off its marketing machine, promoting the new phones' camera capabilities. Interestingly, the company has resorted to using AI-generated video content in its teasers. While a modern marketing tactic, for seasoned tech observers, this approach often signals that the tangible hardware upgrades might be minimal this time around.
The Camera Conundrum: What's New, and What Isn't?
Whispers from the supply chain and leaks from trusted tipsters have consistently pointed toward a familiar story: the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and even the S26 Ultra might inherit the vast majority of their camera hardware directly from last year's Galaxy S25 series. For context, the Galaxy S25 Ultra (curr. $725 - refurbished on Amazon) set a high bar for mobile photography, but carrying over the same sensors would mean the S26 Ultra's main camera, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses are largely unchanged from its predecessor.
This has led to a collective sigh of cautious pessimism within the tech community. If the rear cameras are a carbon copy, where will the "Ultra" justify its premium price tag?
A Front-Facing Facelift: Sony Steps In
Just when it seemed the camera department might be a complete retread, a new leak from one of the industry's most reliable sources offers a glimmer of change—though perhaps not the upgrade fans were hoping for.
Ice Universe, a leaker with a strong track record for Samsung details, took to X to clarify the front-facing camera situation on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to the post, Samsung is indeed planning a swap for the selfie camera. The Galaxy S25 Ultra utilizes a Samsung ISOCELL 3LU (S5K3LU) sensor. Ice Universe now reports that the S26 Ultra will feature a sensor from a different vendor: Sony.
In a detailed follow-up, the leaker, with additional context from user Erencan Yilmaz, provided the specific specifications of this new Sony sensor. The details, however, tell a confusing story:
It seems that I forgot to add information about the front camera of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is like this: 12MP , SONY, 1/3.2" , 1.12um F2.2 85°
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) February 16, 2026
Same Specs, Different Brand: A Side-Grade?
Here is where the plot thickens. The specs listed by Ice Universe—a 12 MP output, a 1/3.2-inch optical format, an f/2.2 aperture, an 85-degree field of view, and 1.12µm pixels—are an exact match for the ISOCELL 3LU sensor used in the Galaxy S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra, and S25 Ultra.
This suggests that while Samsung is swapping the supplier from its in-house ISOCELL division to Sony—potentially for reasons related to supply chains, cost, or module integration—the underlying hardware capabilities appear to be virtually identical. The leaker speculates this could be the Sony IMX874, but regardless of the specific model number, the specifications point to a side-grade rather than a generational leap.
What does this mean for the end user? In short, don't expect a dramatic improvement in your selfie quality. While image processing and software algorithms (which Samsung calls "AI" these days) play a massive role in final image quality, the physical sensor is the foundation. By using a sensor with the same fundamental specs, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely to produce selfies that look very similar to those taken on the last three generations of Ultra phones.
The Bottom Line
As we head into the Unpacked event next week, the story of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of refinement over revolution. The shift to a Sony sensor for the front camera is a notable change in branding and supply chain strategy, but the leaked specifications suggest it won't translate to a better selfie experience. With the rear cameras also rumored to be a carry-over, Samsung appears to be betting heavily on its new AI features and processing power to differentiate the S26 series.
Whether that will be enough to excite users and justify an upgrade remains the biggest question—one that won't be answered until we get the devices in hand.
It seems that I forgot to add information about the front camera of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is like this: 12MP , SONY, 1/3.2" , 1.12um F2.2 85° https://t.co/w652u985XJ
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) February 16, 2026