Your phone camera shapes how you capture the moments that matter most: birthday dinners, weekend trekking adventures, even weddings. For such a personal piece of hardware, the difference between a good camera and a great one will show up in your Gallery for years -- even generations -- to come.

The camera system in the Samsung Galaxy S26 series offers something for every level of creative ambition. The Ultra offers a 200-megapixel main sensor and an impressive F1.4 aperture to take your shots to the next level. Across all three devices, the AI tools layered on top[1] add features that go well beyond what a standard camera app offers.

Here’s what you need to know about the Galaxy S26 series and its photography and video capabilities.

How does the S26 Ultra’s camera compare to the S26 and S26+?

The standard S26 and S26+ both use a 50-megapixel main camera at F1.8, and they produce excellent results in good lighting. The Ultra refines resolution even further: its main sensor shoots at 200-megapixel with an F1.4 aperture. The Ultra also adds a dedicated 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 10x optical-quality zoom.

In real-world contexts, the S26 Ultra’s 200-megapixel sensor gives you room to crop without sacrificing detail. The advanced aperture performs in even the most challenging of conditions (e.g. gig venues, nightclubs or indoor events with no natural light), and the 10x zoom covers distances without you needing to physically move closer.

What does the brighter F1.4 aperture actually do in low light?

Aperture controls how much light the lens lets in. A lower number means a larger opening, and therefore more light reaching the sensor.

The aperture function on the S26 Ultra -- which opens to F1.4 -- is most relevant in dimly lit scenarios, where Nightography[6], Samsung's approach to low-light photography, works across both Photo and Video modes. The feature is available across all three S26 models.

How do I use the Nightography feature in low light?

To activate Nightography in Photo mode, open the Camera app, select Photo and tap the yellow Moon icon (which will automatically appear in low-light conditions, in the lower-right-hand corner of the photo frame). Once clicked, you'll see numbered options indicating how many seconds the camera will expose the scene for -- the darker the environment, the longer the suggested duration. You can select a number manually, or leave it on Auto and let the camera decide.

In Video mode, there's no manual toggle; Nightography runs continuously from the moment you start recording.

How does Super Steady with Horizontal Lock work, and which devices support it?

Super Steady[7] is Samsung’s video-stabilisation mode available across the entire S26 line-up, and Horizontal Lock (available on the S26 Ultra) is an extension of it that keeps the camera’s horizon consistently level even when you’re moving. Real-time data from the phone’s gyroscope and accelerometer tracks motion and compensates for it, so your footage doesn’t look off-kilter, even during fast or unpredictable movement. 

In other words, footage shot while filming in motion without a gimbal -- for example, from a vehicle or panning across a lively crowded event  -- stays smooth and level. You can say goodbye to that tilting horizon that typically makes handheld video look amateur.

To use this feature, open the Camera app, switch to Video mode, tap the Super Steady icon (the figure-in-motion icon in the top right-hand toolbar), then select the standard option or Horizontal Lock. 

What does Photo Assist do?

Photo Assist[8] is an AI editing tool built into the Gallery app that lets you alter a photo after you’ve taken it. You can shift the setting entirely, transporting a shot to a different location or time of day; or, you can add new elements like people, animals or objects by describing what you want. You can even apply a style transformation to change the overall look and feel, or combine two separate shots into a single photo. (For instance, merging a solo portrait with a scenic backdrop, or adding a pet into a family scene.) 

To use the feature, open a photo in Gallery, tap the AI icon in the centre of the bottom toolbar, then type or say what you want to change. You can generate, review and keep editing until you’re happy with the result.

How does Creative Studio differ from standard editing tools?

Standard editing adjusts what’s already in a photo (e.g. cropping, exposure, colour, filters). Creative Studio[9] generates something new altogether. Accessed via the Edge panel, it can turn your photos into personalised sticker sets, greeting cards for any occasion or formatted invitations you can send directly via email or messaging apps. Choose a photo, describe what you want, select a style and simply hit “generate” to start creating.

Galaxy S26 series: key camera features at a glance

The S26 series covers a lot of ground. The standard models handle everyday shooting with ease, while the Ultra offers a top-of-the-range option. 

Whichever choice you land on, you're getting a camera system primed to preserve your most precious memories for years to come.

See the full Galaxy S26 line-up and compare specs at samsung.com.

[1] Samsung account login is required for certain AI features. Galaxy AI features are provided for free. Future releases may include additional advanced features that are offered as part of a paid subscription plan. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.
[2] Results may vary depending on light condition, subject and/or shooting conditions.
[3] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Accuracy of output not guaranteed. A visible watermark is overlaid on the saved image to indicate it was generated by Galaxy AI. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.
[4] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.
[5] Super Steady results may vary depending on editing method and/or shooting conditions.
[6] Results may vary depending on light condition, subject and/or shooting conditions.
[7] Super Steady Results may vary depending on editing method and/or shooting conditions.
[8] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on the saved image to indicate it was generated by Galaxy AI. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.
[9] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.