If there's one thing the Samsung Galaxy S series hasn't paid enough attention to, it's the cameras. I know that might not sound like the case since the phones can be depended on to deliver in the photographic department every year, but when you realize that the main camera in the Galaxy S series has been the same since the S22, you realize how bad it is.
However, after four generations of recycling the same stuff, all signs point to Samsung potentially using the Samsung Galaxy S26 as the launchpad for a new sensor in its ISOCELL GN family. The S26 Ultra will almost certainly get a much better sensor, as usual, but if love is finally shown to the smaller models, that'll still be a massive boost.
Samsung's Galaxy S Series Will Finally Embrace a New Sensor for Its Base Model
The Samsung ISOCELL GN3. You might not know it by name, but it is the sensor that enables the photographic magic of the Samsung Galaxy S25 and its Plus model. Oh, the S24 too. And the S23… and don't forget about the S22. Don't believe me? Take a look at the specs:
- Galaxy S22: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture, 24mm focal length, 1/1.56″ sensor with OIS
- Galaxy S23: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture, 24mm focal length, 1/1.56″ sensor with OIS
- Galaxy S24: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture, 24mm focal length, 1/1.56″ sensor with OIS
- Galaxy S25: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture, 24mm focal length, 1/1.56″ sensor with OIS
For four generations, Samsung has recycled the same sensor, and while I acknowledge there's no need to fix what isn't broken, it's hard to remain a Samsung loyalist while the company becomes complacent.
Thankfully, this complacency will end, at least in one of the many domains that the South Korean OEM has started to feel cozy in. The main camera seems set for an upgrade in 2026, and that's major. This rumor comes courtesy of GalaxyClub, which isn't particularly notorious for making things up.
If you're expecting a 200MP camera or something, that's not going to happen. It will stick to 50MP, but that's not a bad thing considering most flagships have 50MP primary cameras. The sensor is what matters the most, and that's what is going to change. It's expected to be a newer unit in the ISOCELL GN family, though considering how ahead of schedule this rumor is, that sensor likely hasn't been revealed just yet.
The Main Camera Isn't the Only Aspect of Samsung's Flagships That Is Stagnant
Samsung can be an annoying company to be a big fan of. Sometimes, it is ahead of the curve in pretty shocking ways; Galaxy AI and the Z Fold series are good examples of that. However, at other times, the company is extremely stubborn when it comes to adopting trends that unarguably benefit the consumer.
The cameras, batteries, and charging tech are good examples of that. Let's take a look at how Samsung's base flagships changed in the jump from 2022 to 2025, and let's also compare that to the competition.
| Year | Main Camera | Telephoto Camera | Battery | Charging Speed | |
| Galaxy S25 | 2025 | 50MP, ISOCELL GN5 | 10MP, ISOCELL 3K1 | 4,000mAh | Wired: 25W Wireless: 15W |
| Galaxy S22 | 2022 | 50MP, ISOCELL GN5 | 10MP, ISOCELL 3K1 | 3,700mAh | Wired: 25W Wireless: 15W |
| Vivo X200 Pro Mini | 2025 | 50MP, Sony LYT-818 | 50MP, OmniVision OV64A | 5,700mAh | Wired: 90W Wireless: 30W |
You can see that a 10MP telephoto isn't the move for a real flagship these days, even a small one. On top of that, Samsung is way behind when it comes to the battery and charging. Even if you put the S25 Ultra's 5,000mAh battery and 45W fast charging on the table, it doesn't save the brand. This is why I'm placing a lot of hope in the Galaxy S26 to put Samsung on track.
