SAMSUNG
The Galaxy S26 Pro is widely rumored to be a direct successor to the Galaxy S25. Reportedly, it will be equipped with a new main camera as well, but this new sensor doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade.
Just in case you missed one of the biggest Samsung-related news stories of the last few months, let me make it perfectly clear that the company is expected to replace this year's 6.2-inch Galaxy S25 with a Pro-branded device in next year's Galaxy S26 lineup.
But the S26 Pro is apparently likely to keep its non-Pro predecessor's screen size virtually unchanged while also retaining the 1080p display resolution and not doing enough (at least in PhoneArt's view) to improve the performance of the S25's rear-facing camera system.
In line with a report from a few months ago, the Galaxy S26 Pro (which was back then still referred to as the Galaxy S26) is tipped to use a "new model" for its main camera (read a different sensor than the S25's Isocell GN3), but apparently, the sensor size will not grow, which is not a good sign for the real-life skills of the 50MP snapper.
But the S26 Pro is apparently likely to keep its non-Pro predecessor's screen size virtually unchanged while also retaining the 1080p display resolution and not doing enough (at least in PhoneArt's view) to improve the performance of the S25's rear-facing camera system.
In line with a report from a few months ago, the Galaxy S26 Pro (which was back then still referred to as the Galaxy S26) is tipped to use a "new model" for its main camera (read a different sensor than the S25's Isocell GN3), but apparently, the sensor size will not grow, which is not a good sign for the real-life skills of the 50MP snapper.
Word on the grapevine indicates that Samsung will replace the vanilla Galaxy S25 with a Galaxy S26 Pro next year. Reports have also claimed that the Galaxy S26 Pro would launch without any major changes to its camera hardware but a new leak appears to disagree.
According to leaker Jukanlosreve, the Galaxy S26 Pro will arrive in early 2026 bearing a new main camera. Reportedly, the phone will be equipped with new 50 MP sensors from Sony and Samsung, distributed on a regional basis. That's as good as it gets, however, as these sensors are said to have a pixel size of 1.0µm, effectively confirming that these are 1/1.56-inch sensors—much like the ISOCELL GN3 Samsung used on previous models in the series going back to the Galaxy S22.
While sensor size isn't definitive evidence of imaging quality, it remains a big factor overall, and a 1/1.56-inch main camera on the Galaxy S26 Pro highlights Samsung's lackadaisical stance on the camera hardware of its flagship phones. In comparison, the new Xiaomi 17, much like the Xiaomi 15T Pro, is equipped with a significantly larger 1/1.31-inch main snapper.
Let’s break down what Samsung is calling upgrades for the Galaxy S26 Pro. The main camera gets a new sensor, which sounds good on paper. However, it’s actually the same size as the current one. That means any improvements will be minimal at best.
The ultrawide camera is where things get a bit more interesting. Samsung is bumping it from 12MP to 50MP, which sounds impressive until you dig deeper. According to leaks, this is reportedly a cheap, low quality sensor that won’t actually improve your photos. As we’ve said before, a higher megapixels count don’t always mean better pictures.
As for the 3x telephoto camera? Samsung is sticking with the same 10MP sensor they’ve been using for ages. At this point, you have to wonder if Samsung’s camera team has just given up trying.
The Galaxy S26 Pro disappointment is just the tip of the iceberg. Samsung’s entire camera strategy seems stuck in neutral. The company plans to use the same 50MP periscope sensor for four straight years across the Galaxy S24 Ultra, S25 Ultra, S26 Ultra, and S27 Ultra.
Even worse, rumors suggest Samsung might actually downgrade the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 3x telephoto sensor to something smaller than what’s in the S25 Ultra.
The main camera across Samsung’s flagship lineup isn’t getting much love either. Despite leaks about a fancy new 200MP Sony sensor, Samsung apparently thinks it’s too expensive and plans to stick with their current setup for another year or two.
Samsung fans are so fed up with the camera division’s lackluster performance that they’ve started a petition demanding the camera division head be replaced. The petition calls out “severe mismanagement and strategic failures” that have left Galaxy cameras lagging behind competitors.
The fans aren’t wrong. When you look at what companies like Google, Apple, and even Chinese manufacturers are doing with their camera tech, Samsung’s approach feels dated. While competitors push boundaries with computational photography and newer sensors, Samsung seems content recycling the same hardware year after year.
The petition already has hundreds of signatures and keeps growing. It’s a clear sign that Samsung’s camera strategy isn’t just disappointing tech reviewers anymore. Regular users are starting to notice and speak up.
This disappointing Galaxy S26 Pro news only gives the petition more ammunition. When your “Pro” model can’t even deliver meaningful camera improvements, maybe it really is time for new leadership at Samsung’s camera division.
mundophone
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