Samsung said to have shelved Galaxy S26 camera upgrades because of Apple iPhone 17 anxiety
Just under a month has passed since various sources claimed that Samsung had downgraded the Galaxy S26 in a last-minute decision. Apparently, a fear that Apple's aggressive iPhone 17 pricing resulted in Samsung abandoning plans for the so-called Galaxy S26 Pro. For reference, the Galaxy S26 Pro was rumoured to feature changes like a larger battery and a much thinner housing to distinguish the device from the existing Galaxy S25 (curr. $674.99 on Amazon).
Instead, the Galaxy S26 is expected to feature a more modest 300 mAh battery bump over the Galaxy S25 to 4,300 mAh. According to The Elec, the iPhone 17's influence runs deeper than previously thought. Apparently, the Galaxy S26 will line up with the same camera sensors as its predecessor too, with The Elec quoting alleged industry insiders:
Samsung Electronics initially planned to upgrade key specifications like the rear camera module pixel count for the standard Galaxy S26 model and raise the product price.
The standard S26 will reuse the rear camera module used in the standard S25. While some parts like the actuator may change, if the pixel configuration remains the same, it's highly likely they'll use the same image sensor.
In other words, the entry-level Galaxy S26 will contain a 50 MP primary camera with a 1/1.56-inch optical format compared to a 48 MP and 1/1.56-inch equivalent that Apple uses inside the iPhone 17. Whether Samsung will deviate from the f/1.8 aperture lens that it has been using remains to be seen at this point. Unfortunately, The Elec's report also indicates that the dual 10 MP telephoto and ultra-wide-angle cameras that Samsung has been using since the Galaxy S22 will return too. Currently, Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy S26 in late February alongside Plus and Ultra alternatives.
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