“Samsung Has Given Up on Cameras,” Says Tipster About Galaxy S26 [U: Retracted]

Update 6/6, 4:50 PM EST: Ice Universe has deleted the post on X alleging that Samsung won’t be planning major camera hardware upgrades for a long time.

A new leak from a well-known tipster paints a sobering picture for fans hoping for big hardware changes in Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series. According to the source, Samsung may abandon meaningful camera hardware upgrades next year. Instead, the company is shifting its focus toward AI-powered features and a thinner, lighter design.

Samsung has no major camera hardware upgrades planned for the Galaxy S26

Ice Universe claims that the Galaxy S26 lineup will retain the same camera hardware as the Galaxy S25 series. There may not be any significant changes. Even the Ultra model, often the showpiece for Samsung’s latest imaging tech, may continue using the aging 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor. Shockingly, the same sensor might carry over until the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

The Galaxy S28 Ultra in 2028 may not bring big upgrades either. As for expectations like the ISOCELL HP9 powering the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s telephoto zoom camera, the tipster bluntly stated: “It will never be used”. This suggests Samsung has no interest in pursuing aggressive camera innovation in the near term. But why?

The explanation offered is both technical and political. According to Ice Universe, Samsung’s mobile division is being weighed down by the rest of the company. Internal dynamics reportedly force its smartphone team to use in-house components — Exynos chips, uncompetitive ISOCELL sensors, and expensive memory and displays — regardless of their merit.

Rather than investing heavily in new camera hardware, the mobile division is minimizing upgrades to cut costs and maintain profitability. It must do that as it shoulders the burden of propping up other divisions like Samsung Semiconductor. To make up for the lack of physical upgrades, Samsung is reportedly betting big on AI, using software-based features and smart photography enhancements as the headline selling points.

In the tipster’s own words: “Samsung mobile phones have given up on cameras.” While that might sound extreme, if these leaks hold true, fans expecting next-gen photography hardware from the Galaxy S26 or even S27 series may be disappointed.

That said, there are rumors of the base Galaxy S26 model getting a newer 50MP main camera. Samsung is reportedly switching from an in-house ISOCELL sensor to a Sony camera, though the resolution remains unchanged at 50MP. It’s unclear if those reports are inaccurate or if Ice Universe is being a little too critical. Perhaps the tipster was targeting the Ultra model, which may miss out on hardware upgrades next year. More details should emerge in the coming months.