Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Samples Blown Away By Unexpected Challenger

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has been making waves in the tech world with its early camera samples, which are now being compared to those of the Vivo X300 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. YouTube creator Sahil Karoul’s video provides a unique glimpse into how Samsung’s latest flagship might stack up against its competitors.

The comparisons between the S26 Ultra and the two other phones are not entirely controlled, with varying framing and lighting conditions across the different shots. However, they do offer a useful early look at how Samsung’s camera system has evolved compared to last year’s model. When pitted against the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the S26 Ultra’s images appear noticeably more restrained, leaning towards a natural, true-to-life aesthetic, whereas Apple’s image looks more contrast-heavy and eye-catching.

This difference in style is likely due to Samsung’s approach to camera processing, which tends to prioritize a more subtle, nuanced look over bold, attention-grabbing effects. In contrast, the Vivo X300 Pro’s Zeiss-tuned system delivers saturated, high-contrast images designed to impress at a glance. These shots are bold and social-media ready, but also risk being overly bright and potentially overexposed.

One notable example of this difference is in the way each phone handles the color rendition of an artificial red berry on display. The Vivo X300 Pro’s image looks brighter and more detailed, but also slightly overexposed, while the S26 Ultra’s version appears more subdued and less saturated. Some viewers have noted that the S25 Ultra handled the scene better, suggesting that Samsung’s camera system may not have undergone a major overhaul this year.

On the technical side, the S26 Ultra appears to be using a 24MP shooting mode, enabled through Samsung’s Camera Assistant, instead of defaulting to 12MP binning like the S25 Ultra typically does. This change could potentially lead to improved low-light performance and increased detail in certain scenes.

The key takeaway from these early camera samples is that the Galaxy S26 Ultra seems to be evolving Samsung’s established camera philosophy rather than rewriting it. While there are some subtle improvements in terms of brightness and noise reduction, the overall output remains relatively consistent with last year’s model.

In some situations, the S26 Ultra does manage to outshine its predecessor, particularly in mixed lighting scenarios where exposure is lifted slightly. Portrait shots also exhibit a similar trend, with skin tones looking brighter and more natural, albeit with some minor inconsistencies in edge detection. Low-light samples show a marginal improvement in terms of noise reduction and shadow detail.

It’s worth noting that the S26 Ultra retains the same core camera setup as its predecessor, with adjustments focused on lens tuning and image processing rather than entirely new sensors. If these early samples are anything to go by, Samsung’s approach this year seems to be more evolutionary than revolutionary.

For S25 Ultra owners, the differences between the two phones may not be drastic enough to warrant an upgrade just yet. However, for those looking for a camera system that delivers bright, clean images with a focus on realism rather than bold, attention-grabbing effects, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may be worth keeping an eye on.

The fact that units of the Galaxy S26 Ultra have already appeared in the gray market, particularly in Southeast Asia where eager buyers are willing to pay a premium for early access to new devices, suggests that Samsung is indeed preparing for a major launch event. As we get closer to the official announcement, we can expect more information about the phone’s camera system and other features.

In the meantime, fans of Samsung and camera enthusiasts alike will be eagerly awaiting the full reveal of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and its capabilities. With these early samples providing a glimpse into what to expect, it’s clear that this phone is shaping up to be a contender in the high-end smartphone market.