This is why the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s digital camera improve issues, however will not grant it the king’s crown

A 12 months in the past I used to be in a position to get a Galaxy S24 Extremely rival from China (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on board, similar RAM and storage, plus 4 50 MP cameras and a 1-inch sensor on its again) for about $750.I do not find out about you, however a $550 distinction is quite a bit in my ebook. Particularly if I am not getting a $550 distinction in real-life utilization. So, if I used to be looking out for an incredible digital camera telephone proper now, I might undoubtedly look into the potential of getting the S25 Extremely… however I might undoubtedly go.On the finish of the day, it isn’t simply cash. Folks additionally take note of {hardware} numbers and specs. As well-liked and nearly as good the Galaxy collection could also be, the reality is that Samsung does not provide essentially the most spectacular, cutting-edge {hardware} relating to pictures and videography.

That is why I nearly popped a champagne bottle yesterday, once I stumbled upon the next PhoneArena article title:

I used to be so-o-o certain it is a new fundamental digital camera sensor that was promised. Good that I did not open that champagne bottle, although: it seems that this big improve is a brand new, brighter lens.

Now, do not get me fallacious – I am all for brighter lenses (that is what a lens with a big aperture is known as: “brilliant”). As a rule of thumb, the bigger the aperture – the higher. Vibrant lenses are at all times extra refined, dearer, extra premium.

However I am unable to wash away that foul style in my mouth both: when will Samsung step within the 1-inch sensor territory?

Greater sensors or brighter lenses?

Whenever you hear about upgrades to a telephone’s digital camera, most individuals instantly consider extra megapixels or greater sensors. However in actuality, smartphone pictures is formed by a mix of many issues.

Digicam sensors in smartphones have advanced quickly. Whereas many flagship telephones – particularly from Chinese language manufacturers like Xiaomi and Oppo – have already adopted 1-inch-type sensors, Samsung has caught with smaller sensors on its Extremely line. The S24 Extremely makes use of the 1/1.3″ ISOCELL HP2 sensor, which is anticipated for use on the S25 Extremely. Whereas a 1/1.3″ sensor is unquestionably giant (compared to what mid-rangers pack), it is nonetheless smaller than a 1-inch sensor.

Bigger sensors have clear advantages: higher low-light efficiency, improved dynamic vary, and extra pure depth of area. Options like pixel binning, which merges a number of pixels into one for brighter, cleaner images, assist smaller sensors keep aggressive. Autofocus techniques have additionally improved, with applied sciences like Twin Pixel and laser focus enhancing accuracy. And naturally, periscope lenses have grow to be widespread for reaching long-range zoom with out compromising telephone thickness.

Nonetheless, many really feel Samsung has fallen behind by not shifting to a bigger sensor. In 2025, a 1-inch sensor is not groundbreaking – it is what I anticipate from Samsung sooner or later. That specific future just isn’t taking place in 2026, per present rumors. And whereas sensor dimension is not every little thing, it is a key a part of the equation, particularly for a tool marketed as the perfect digital camera telephone cash should buy.

What about apertures?

That brings us to lenses and apertures. The aperture – measured by an f-number like f/1.4 or f/2.2 – tells you the way large the lens can open to let in gentle. The decrease the quantity, the broader the opening, and the extra gentle that hits the sensor.

A brighter (decrease f-number) lens can dramatically enhance photograph high quality, particularly in low-light conditions. It permits for sooner shutter speeds and decrease ISO settings, each of which assist cut back blur and noise. Once more, experiences recommend the Galaxy S26 Extremely will get a brighter fundamental lens, possible enhancing indoor and evening pictures in comparison with the f/1.7 lens on the S25 Extremely.

Is there extra to it than simply F numbers?

The anticipated change on the S26 Extremely is a significant one – however solely up to some extent. An awesome lens issues most as soon as you’ve got crossed a sure threshold in sensor high quality. In case your sensor continues to be comparatively small, the advantages of a brighter lens are restricted. For instance, the identical APS-C sensor paired with an f/1.4 lens will outperform that very same sensor with an f/2.2 lens, particularly in low gentle. However when you shrink the sensor too far, even the perfect lens cannot totally compensate.

So, can a lens really be too brilliant? In some instances, sure. Whereas a large aperture permits extra gentle, it might additionally cut back depth of area an excessive amount of, particularly on bigger sensors – resulting in components of the topic being out of focus. It may well additionally trigger points with lens aberrations or softness on the edges of the body.

In the long run, Samsung’s determination to improve the lens somewhat than the sensor is not pointless – but it surely feels overdue. For a telephone line that markets itself as a digital camera king, the {hardware} must mirror that ambition. A greater lens is an efficient step. An even bigger sensor could be a severe leap!