Rumor has it that the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 5x lens will feature a broader aperture.
It seems Samsung may be outfitting the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 5x zoom lens with a larger aperture to improve light intake, according to a new rumor.
Tipster Ice Universe revealed on X that the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 50MP 5x telephoto could include an f/2.9 aperture. This is an increase from the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s f/3.4, suggesting it should gather more light and perform better in low-light conditions.
Ice Universe further mentions that the S26 Ultra’s 200MP primary sensor will also gain a wider aperture, echoing a prior assertion. On Weibo, the leaker labeled it Samsung’s most substantial camera enhancement since the Galaxy S20 Ultra, which should significantly boost its low-light performance and overall image quality.
Larger apertures, brighter images
A larger aperture thrives in low-light situations as it allows the sensor to capture considerably more light, illuminating images and enabling faster shutter speeds. This combination is crucial for producing sharper, clearer images with reduced motion blur, whether photographing at night or in poorly lit environments.
According to the latest rumor, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s main camera could absorb 47% more light than the S25 Ultra, while its 5x telephoto lens might gather 38% more.
In the meantime, the outdated 10MP sensor on the 3x telephoto lens is expected to be replaced with a 12MP one. The new Samsung S5K3LD sensor should contain approximately 20% more pixels than its S25 Ultra counterpart.
Moreover, a wider aperture also results in a shallower depth of field, allowing portraits to display smoother, more natural bokeh. This approach minimizes the dependence on software enhancements, which can sometimes appear artificial.
Individually, none of these improvements are astounding, but collectively, they are poised to make Samsung’s upcoming flagship Galaxy smartphone a low-light champ, surpassing its predecessors with sharper and more luminous images.
