Samsung Galaxy S26 May Feature Same Rear Camera as S25

If you are hoping to see an upgrade in the rear camera of the upcoming Galaxy S26 (standard model), there’s some bad news. Samsung is reportedly planning to reuse the same camera module from last year’s Galaxy S25. This comes as the company focuses on cost savings and competitive pricing in the global smartphone market.

Samsung may skip Galaxy S26 rear camera upgrades amid Apple competition

According to a report from TheElec, Samsung’s camera module partners and related parts suppliers have confirmed that the main specs of the Galaxy S26 rear camera will be the same as the S25. This means the rear camera will feature a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide unit, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.

The outlet also says that Samsung originally planned to improve the rear camera of the Galaxy S26, particularly by increasing the pixel count. As a result, the company even considered releasing the device at a higher price than its predecessor. However, these plans reportedly changed after Apple froze the cost of the standard iPhone 17 at $799. By offering similar camera specs as the S25, Samsung can keep production costs lower and maintain a competitive price for the S26.

Industry insiders say that while some smaller components, such as the actuator, may see minor updates, the core image sensor will likely remain unchanged. This means the overall camera performance will be very similar to last year’s model.

However, in terms of rear camera design, the Galaxy S26 may bring some noticeable changes. The floating camera rings may be replaced by a raised pill-shaped camera island that houses all the lenses together. This could give the phone a sleeker and more modern look.

Meanwhile, if you are planning to purchase the Galaxy S26, make sure to sign up for our Mystery Box program. This will let you score a bunch of freebies such as a case, screen protector, cleaning kit, phone stand, and a 65W charger.