Key Takeaways
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature an enlarged front camera punch hole.
- This enables a wider field of view to capture more of the surrounding scene and facilitates group selfies.
- The move may disappoint customers hoping for a rival to the iPhone 17’s Center Stage camera.
November 14 Update Below: Front camera punch hole changes: Apple goes smaller while Samsung goes bigger. This article was originally published on November 12
A new insider leak reveals that Samsung’s Galaxy S26 will feature a surprisingly contentious design change, and it all comes down to its new selfie camera.
According to well-known leaker Ice Universe, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a larger front camera punch hole than any previous Samsung Ultra model. This change will prove contentious, potentially disrupting full-screen experiences such as gaming or movie playback.
The change is reportedly designed to accommodate a wider field of view in the S26 Ultra’s front camera. This expanded view could help you include more of the background and make it easier to capture group selfies at arm’s length.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Front Camera Leak: Bigger Punch Hole, Smaller Advantage
The reported increase in field of view is relatively modest, however, with Samsung swapping out a 26mm lens for a 23mm equivalent. While the change may be numerically small, it will make a noticeable difference, especially in close-up selfie shots as Ice Universe demonstrates in a pair of simulated images. Unfortunately, wider lenses can also result in more distorted images, especially when used up close.
According to @UniverceIce, the S26 Ultra’s front camera will retain the same sensor as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Any quality improvement would therefore depend on enhancements to the optics or the image processing pipeline. This could prove disappointing for potential customers, as Samsung will face stiff competition from the iPhone 17, which features a unique square-sensored 18-megapixel Center Stage camera capable of automatic AI-powered reframing and switching between vertical and horizontal modes without rotating the handset.
Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Selfie Camera Expected To Fall Short
While a wider field of view on the S26 Ultra’s front camera would also allow increased flexibility in cropping and digital zoom, it’s doubtful that Samsung will pose a credible challenge to Apple’s camera through mere lens tweaks and processing updates. To do so would require entirely new features with real-world usefulness, not just better quality.
Even before it launches, Samsung’s Galaxy S camera hardware is starting to look a bit old by comparison, underscoring a growing gap in innovation between Samsung and its arch-rival.
November 14 Update: Front camera changes: Apple’s goes smaller while Samsung goes bigger
Disappointingly, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s selfie camera is expected to retain the current 12-megapixel resolution, paired with the largest-ever front punch hole on a Samsung Galaxy S phone. But Apple’s iPhone 18 series is expected to widen the already large technology gap between the two rivals by reducing the current size of the Dynamic Island and increasing the Center Stage camera’s effective resolution from 18 megapixels to 24.
Both Samsung and Apple are working towards notch-free displays featuring high-quality under-display cameras, with Apple expected to release its first in its 2026 foldable device lineup. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, on the other hand, has moved in the opposite direction, replacing the 4-megapixel under-screen camera found on earlier models with a conventional punch-hole camera, albeit with much higher picture quality.
With rear cameras more than good enough for most customers, the front-facing “selfie” camera is fast becoming the new battleground for smartphone camera supremacy not only in terms of quality, but also features and the ability to create an uninterrupted display. Regressions in any of these qualities will not be well received.
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