Galaxy S26 tipped to get long-awaited new camera sensor

If you’ve been following Samsung’s Galaxy S phones, you know the main camera hasn’t seen a real upgrade in years. The trusty ISOCELL GN3 sensor has powered the standard and Plus models since the Galaxy S23. Now, rumors say that’s about to change. The Galaxy S26 new camera could finally bring a real update to Samsung’s non-Ultra lineup.

According to new leaks from GalaxyClub, the base Galaxy S26 will ditch the old sensor for a new 50MP camera. The megapixel count isn’t changing, but the hardware underneath apparently is.

That means better performance is on the horizon—even if the numbers look the same on paper. We don’t have the exact details yet, but a new Samsung ISOCELL GN-series sensor is likely. That could mean a larger sensor, bigger pixels, or a brighter aperture, all of which would mean sharper, clearer photos.

This upgrade probably isn’t just for the regular S26. Samsung has a history of giving the same main camera to the base and Plus models. That said, there are reports Samsung might retire the “Plus” for a new “Galaxy S26 Edge.” If that happens, and with the S25 Edge already using a 200MP sensor, the new 50MP sensor could be unique to the standard S26 for now.

Either way, the Galaxy S26 new camera rumor is good news for anyone who wants better photos without having to buy the Ultra. After years of the same old sensor, it’s finally time for Samsung’s core Galaxy S to get some real imaging upgrades.