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| The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cannot keep up with the best smartphone cameras. |
The highly anticipated, in-depth DxOMark camera analysis for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is finally here, and it presents a classic tale of progress versus perfection. While Samsung has undeniably enhanced the photographic capabilities of its latest flagship, the $1,299 device finds itself in a fierce battle it isn't quite winning—at least not according to the strict metrics of the renowned camera testers.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra scored an impressive 157 points in DxOMark’s comprehensive evaluation. This marks a solid six-point jump over its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra . However, in the fast-paced world of smartphone photography, incremental gains don't always translate to leaderboard dominance. The S26 Ultra’s score lands it in 18th place globally, trailing behind heavy hitters like the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (161), the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (163), and the current champion, the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, which sits at the top with a commanding 175 points .
What’s New Under the Hood? A Tale of Two Lenses
For a deeper dive into the full methodology and all the test data, you can explore the complete analysis on the official DxOMark website here.
So, what accounts for the moderate improvement? A look at the spec sheet reveals a strategic, if not revolutionary, update. Samsung has opted for evolution over revolution, carrying over two key sensors unchanged from the S25 Ultra :
- The 50 MP f/1.9 ultra-wide-angle camera (1/2.5-inch sensor)
- The 10 MP f/2.4 telephoto camera (1/3.52-inch sensor) with 3x optical zoom
The magic, however, happens with the two primary shooters. The 200 MP main camera (1/1.3-inch sensor) now boasts a significantly faster lens with an aperture of f/1.7 to f/1.4 . This upgrade allows the sensor to capture significantly more light, a change Samsung claims results in a 47% improvement in brightness .
Similarly, the 50 MP periscope telephoto camera (1/2.52-inch sensor) gets a welcome brightness boost, with its aperture opening up from f/3.4 to f/2.9 . This new module also utilizes a more compact ALoP (Adaptive Lens on Prism) design, which renders background highlights with a rounder, more natural bokeh effect compared to the square shapes of its predecessor . However, this new telephoto lens comes with a trade-off: the minimum focus distance has roughly doubled to 52 centimetres, making extreme close-ups via the zoom lens a bit more challenging .
The Good: Where the S26 Ultra Shines
Despite not reclaiming the top spot, DxOMark’s review highlights several areas where the S26 Ultra delivers a premium photography experience. The faster lenses on the main and periscope cameras pay clear dividends in reducing image noise, resulting in cleaner shots . Testers praised the device for its:
- Accurate white balance in most conditions .
- Wide dynamic range, allowing for well-exposed shots in high-contrast scenes .
- High levels of detail in macro shots .
- Effective video stabilization, ensuring smooth footage even when moving .
The Misses: Why It’s Not a Leaderboard-Topper
However, to compete at the very top, consistency is key, and this is where the S26 Ultra stumbles. DxOMark’s analysis points to several persistent issues that hold the device back from challenging the Pixel and Huawei flagships. You can see how it stacks up against the rest of the field on the official DxOMark smartphone leaderboard here.
The most significant criticisms revolve around performance in unpredictable scenarios:
- Unreliable Auto-Exposure: The exposure system can be unstable, producing inconsistent results between consecutive shots in challenging lighting .
- Portrait Mode Problems: In a major miss for a flagship device, the autofocus system often struggles to lock onto a subject's eyes accurately. Furthermore, faces in portraits can lack fine details, appearing softer than they should .
- Persistent Low-Light Noise: While improved, visible image noise is still an issue in dimly lit environments, preventing the S26 Ultra from matching the best-in-class low-light performance of its rivals .
Side-by-Side Comparison: The Autofocus Challenge
The difference in autofocus reliability is stark when comparing images side-by-side. In the samples provided by DxOMark, the Galaxy S26 Ultra occasionally misses focus on the face, while the older S25 Ultra gets it right. This kind of inconsistency is exactly what keeps a phone from achieving a top-tier score.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right) autofocus comparison
The Verdict: A Worthy Upgrade, But Not the King
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is undeniably a powerful and capable camera phone. The hardware improvements, particularly the wider apertures, are a step in the right direction and lead to tangible benefits in light capture and noise reduction . For everyday users, this phone will take stunning photos.
However, in the ruthless arena of DxOMark's scoring, it falls short of the excellence required to beat its biggest competitors. The combination of unreliable autofocus, unstable exposure, and persistent noise in low light means that while the S26 Ultra catches up to its predecessor, it doesn't surpass the class leaders. It’s a fantastic camera system held back by the kind of software fine-tuning that separates a very good phone from a truly great one.
You can check the latest prices and availability for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on Amazon here.
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| The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (left) does not always focus correctly on a person's face. The comparison image on the right is from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. |