Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Falls Behind iPhone 16 Pro Max

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to launch on March 11, 2026, is facing criticism for its camera performance, lagging behind both the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (released September 20, 2024) and other leading smartphone cameras. Recent DxOMark testing reveals the S26 Ultra ties with the iPhone 16 Pro in 18th place, a result that highlights a stagnation in Samsung’s photographic capabilities.

DxOMark Findings: Incremental Improvements, Limited Impact

Whereas DxOMark acknowledges improvements in low-light performance – with photos exhibiting better detail and reduced noise – the overall assessment is underwhelming. The S26 Ultra delivers well-balanced colors and a good balance between detail and noise reduction. Its zoom capabilities are versatile, maintaining consistent quality across different zoom levels. Yet, issues persist with indoor and low-light photography, where visible noise and unreliable autofocus are present. Video quality also trails behind competitors.

Stagnation in Hardware and Software

The core issue, according to DxOMark, is Samsung’s reliance on familiar camera hardware. Since the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung has largely reused the same camera sensors, failing to maintain pace with advancements from Apple and Chinese manufacturers. Instead of investing in larger sensors, Samsung continues to employ smaller sensors, attempting to compensate with pixel merging and aggressive software processing.

This software-heavy approach, characterized by aggressive HDR, sharpening and skin smoothing, produces images that appear appealing on a phone screen or social media but reveal a “digital seem” when viewed on a computer monitor. The 3x telephoto lens is described as outdated, and the 5x telephoto lens, while improved, has a doubled minimum focus distance, limiting its utility for detailed close-ups.

Video Capabilities and Industry Trends

Samsung has added support for the ProRes codec and external storage recording, mirroring features found in iPhones. However, the overall impression is that Samsung is reacting to industry trends rather than leading them. The company’s early adoption of 8K video has not seen significant advancements in recent years.

DxOMark Score and Competitive Landscape

The Galaxy S26 Ultra achieved a score of 157 on DxOMark, placing it alongside phones released in September 2023, March 2024, September 2024, and October 2024. This score is 11 points behind the iPhone 17 Pro, four points behind the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and 18 points behind the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra. Compared to its predecessor, the S26 Ultra gained only six points, while competitors have made more substantial gains.

Looking Ahead

Without significant investment in camera development, the gap between Samsung’s flagship phones and the competition is likely to widen. The current trajectory suggests that Samsung needs to prioritize hardware innovation – particularly larger sensors and improved lenses – to regain its position as a leader in mobile photography.

Source: versus.com, PhoneArena, nanoreview.net