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.
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.
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