Galaxy S26 Ultra Could Support Virtual Aperture in Portrait Mode

Samsung may have just revealed a major camera upgrade for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The company said it aims to bring Virtual Aperture technology to Portrait Mode for DSLR-like photo quality right from your pocket. It also has more AI-powered camera tools in development.

Galaxy S26 Ultra could revolutionize portrait photography with Virtual Aperture

Samsung recently shared its thought process behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s cutting-edge camera innovations. The company explained the core principles that guide its camera developments. It introduced Virtual Aperture to the new flagship via the Expert RAW app, allowing users to simulate DSLR-style depth of field effects.

Traditional smartphone cameras rely heavily on software tricks to simulate background blur or bokeh. Samsung’s Virtual Aperture, however, uses AI and a unique interface to recreate DSLR-like aperture adjustments. This enables users to select between shallow and deep depth of field, mimicking the optical performance of professional lenses.

To develop this technology, Samsung collected over 200,000 photos taken with both Galaxy smartphones and DSLR cameras. That’s a massive undertaking that required manually controlling focus and exposure settings for each shot. With a successful implementation via Expert RAW, the company is now preparing for the next step: integrating this feature into Portrait Mode — a staple for mobile photography.

“We plan to analyze the market’s response to Virtual Aperture and incorporate it into Portrait mode,” said Pyojae Kim, who led the development of the Virtual Aperture feature. “By continuing to expand the features, we’ll ensure that the photo quality of the best DSLR cameras out there can be fully experienced on mobile devices.”

This suggests that Samsung is preparing to deploy Virtual Aperture on a broader scale, likely starting with the S26 Ultra. While the company hasn’t explicitly confirmed any features for the next Ultra, all signs point to Virtual Aperture for Portrait Mode as a key upgrade. If true, this would be a monumental step toward making DSLR-quality photography fully mobile.

Samsung also aims to expand AI-powered tools and simplify high-end features for everyday users. The goal is to strengthen the camera’s picture quality fundamentals, all while maximizing convenience and accessibility. The company wants its Galaxy smartphone cameras to be ideal for both professionals and regular consumers. It remains to be seen what the Galaxy S26 Ultra has in store.