The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best choice if you want Samsung’s broadest camera system, especially for zoom, close-ups and more detail in some low-light scenes. The standard Galaxy S26 is a strong everyday alternative: in side-by-side comparisons, ordinary daytime photos, ultra-wide shots and selfies could look close to the Ultra’s. For current S25 Ultra owners, the camera gains are incremental rather than a clear reason to upgrade.
Which Samsung phone has the best camera?
For the widest range of shooting options, choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Its four rear cameras include a high-resolution main camera, an ultra-wide camera and two telephoto cameras, including a dedicated 5x lens. That extra reach and flexibility matter more than the headline megapixel count if you regularly photograph distant subjects or close-up details.
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That does not mean the Ultra wins every photo. Samsung’s US product page describes its own phone as the best camera in the S series, but that is a manufacturer claim, not an independent verdict. DXOMARK’s camera test, dated March 9, 2026, gave the S26 Ultra 157 points and placed it 22nd in its global ranking at that time. DXOMARK noted progress over the previous Samsung flagship while also identifying noise and detail-consistency weaknesses relative to leading competitors. Scores and rankings use DXOMARK’s methodology and may change. Samsung US specifications; DXOMARK’s S26 Ultra camera test.
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How the three Samsung models compare
| Model | Rear cameras listed by Samsung US | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 200 MP F1.4 main; 50 MP F1.9 ultra-wide; 10 MP F2.4 3x telephoto; 50 MP F2.9 5x telephoto | Zoom, close-ups and a broad range of shooting situations |
| Galaxy S26 | 50 MP F1.8 wide; 12 MP F2.2 ultra-wide; 10 MP F2.4 3x telephoto | Everyday photos and video without the Ultra’s dedicated 5x camera |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | Not stated in the cited side-by-side comparison; see Samsung’s model specifications | Existing owners weighing a modest generation-to-generation camera change |
The S26 Ultra also has a 12 MP F2.2 selfie camera, while Samsung lists a 12 MP selfie camera for the S26. Samsung’s US S26 specifications are on its Galaxy S26 and S26+ product page. The table lists the S26 Ultra and S26 specifications published by Samsung US; camera specifications and availability can vary by market.
#1 Best Overall
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What the S26 Ultra does better in real-world comparisons
Long-distance subjects
The 50 MP 5x telephoto camera gives the Ultra a clear hardware advantage when the subject is far away. Tom’s Guide compared the S26 Ultra with the S26 using more than 200 photos and found that the Ultra retained more detail at long zoom. Samsung advertises 10x optical-quality zoom and up to 100x Space Zoom, but 100x is not optical zoom: the far end relies on digital and AI processing. Tom’s Guide’s S26 Ultra versus S26 comparison.
Macro and close-ups
Tom’s Guide found the Ultra better for macro and close-up photography than the standard S26. If you often photograph small objects, food or details at close range, that flexibility is a more practical reason to step up than megapixel totals alone.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Low-light detail
The S26 Ultra’s wider main-camera aperture is part of Samsung’s low-light pitch. Samsung says the 200 MP main camera’s F1.4 aperture is 47% brighter than the prior generation’s corresponding aperture, and the 5x telephoto’s F2.9 aperture is 37% brighter than its predecessor. Those are Samsung’s product claims, not independently measured gains in overall image quality. Tom’s Guide found more detail in some low-light comparisons with the S26, but DXOMARK still noted noise and detail-consistency limitations against leading competitors. These findings support a scene-dependent advantage, not a claim that the Ultra is class-leading in every night shot. Samsung US camera details; DXOMARK’s S26 Ultra camera test.
Portraits
In Tom’s Guide’s S26 comparison, the Ultra performed better for portraits. The result is useful if portraits are a priority, but a side-by-side review reflects selected scenes and reviewer judgment rather than a guarantee for every subject, setting or lighting condition.
Rank #3
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Where the standard Galaxy S26 is enough
Everyday photos, ultra-wide shots and selfies
In Tom’s Guide’s side-by-side comparison, several ordinary daytime photos, ultra-wide images and selfies from the S26 looked close to the Ultra’s. If these are your main subjects, the Ultra’s extra reach and close-focus flexibility may not justify its premium for you.
Balanced everyday camera and video
DXOMARK awarded the standard S26 147 points in its camera test dated August 13, 2026, and described its camera as balanced for everyday use, with strong exposure and competitive video stabilization. The score is specific to DXOMARK’s test and should not be read as a universal quality percentage or directly converted into a measure of how much worse it is than the Ultra. DXOMARK also described video as a strength, citing effective stabilization, controlled noise and consistent color. Samsung says the S26 series includes Super Steady with Horizontal Lock; that is a company feature description, not an independent comparison of the models’ video. DXOMARK’s S26 camera test.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Should you upgrade from the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
For most current S25 Ultra owners, the available comparisons point to an incremental camera change, not a must-have upgrade. Tom’s Guide tested more than 200 photos and favored the S26 Ultra for macro, selfie, portrait and low-light or 5x detail, while the S25 Ultra won in panoramas and some other results were close. TechRadar likewise characterized the generation-to-generation camera differences as modest and said current S25 Ultra owners may not need to upgrade. Tom’s Guide’s S26 Ultra versus S25 Ultra comparison; TechRadar’s 2026 camera-phone guide.
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Consider upgrading if you frequently use macro, selfies, portraits or 5x zoom and the specific improvements matter to you. If your current phone already covers those needs, the mixed scene-by-scene results provide little basis for treating the S26 Ultra as an essential camera upgrade. Current prices, trade-in offers and S25 Ultra stock were not established here, so check local sellers before comparing upgrade costs.
Quick Recap
Choose based on the photos you actually take
- Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you often shoot distant subjects, want a dedicated 5x camera or value close-up and macro flexibility.
- Choose the Galaxy S26 if your photography is mostly everyday daylight, ultra-wide shots, selfies and video, and you do not need the Ultra’s camera reach.
- Keep the Galaxy S25 Ultra for now if you already own one and are satisfied with its camera. The S26 Ultra improves some types of shots, but the comparison results are mixed and the overall generation-to-generation change is modest.
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