Galaxy S26 Ultra Could Be Thinner than S25 Ultra, Thanks to New Camera Lens

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is still months away from its official debut, but that hasn’t stopped the rumors. According to recent leaks, Samsung will likely stick with a 200MP sensor for the main camera, similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra (review). However, that doesn’t mean the camera won’t see improvements in other areas. One report, for instance, talks about the potential camera upgrades we might see with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Galaxy S26 Ultra could bring new camera lens

Korean outlet TheElec reports that Samsung could introduce a new 1/1.3-inch ISOCELL sensor with an improved pixel design, which may help the camera capture more light and deliver better low-light performance. This aligns with Samsung’s typical three-year cycle for major camera updates, suggesting the company is focusing on quality over quantity.

However, the most intriguing change might be in the camera’s lens system. Currently, Samsung uses thin cover films between the lenses in the camera stack to reduce flare and ghosting. The issue is that these films add thickness to the camera module. For the S26 Ultra, Samsung may switch to inkjet-printed coatings, which are much thinner. This would allow for a slimmer camera assembly without compromising image quality.

It will also make the Galaxy S26 Ultra slimmer than predecessor

This is a big deal because the camera bump is often the thickest part of a phone. If Samsung can slim down the camera module, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could have a thinner overall profile, and the camera bump might not protrude as much. This would build on what Samsung achieved with the Galaxy S25 Edge (hands-on), which measures just 5.8mm thick despite housing a 200MP camera.

Samsung is clearly chasing the trend of thinner phones. Some rumors suggest Samsung might replace the Plus model in the lineup with an “Edge” version of the Galaxy S26. We’ve also heard buzz about just how slim the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be. Either way, the emphasis is on slimmer designs across the board.