The battle for the best smartphone camera has been long fought. We’ve seen improvements in megapixels, advanced zoom, and cutting-edge software. Western brands like Samsung and Apple have maintained a conservative approach in this regard. That said, it looks like the trend is about to break next year. The iPhone 17 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra aim to bring some impressive camera improvements at the hardware level.
A previous report revealed that both Apple and Samsung will take a similar approach. That is, we could see larger, more prominent camera bumps on the upcoming Galaxy S and premium iPhone models. Now, a new leak offers more details on the camera improvements the iPhone 17 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra could bring.
48MP 8x zoom camera for iPhone 17 Pro
Let’s start with Apple. A report from South Korean media outlet Newsis suggests the iPhone 17 Pro will get a massive camera overhaul. More specifically, the device would receive a new triple-camera system where all three lenses will be 48 megapixels. This is a huge jump, especially from the current telephoto lens, since the next-gen models could bring a powerful 8x optical zoom.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about a powerful 8x optical zoom on the iPhone 17 series. A report from a few days ago suggested this feature would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, the latest leak mentions the iPhone 17 Pro. Either way, it’s yet another source mentioning this powerful zoom capability on future iPhones. So, things are looking good for Apple fans.
To make all this happen, the phone’s camera module is reportedly growing. This will result in a larger “camera island” on the back. While some fans might not love the look, it shows Apple is prioritizing raw camera performance over a perfectly flat aesthetic. The leaked renders of the iPhone 17 Pro have already given clues about this new path.
Samsung also improving Galaxy S26 Ultra cameras
Samsung seems to be following a similar path. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to be bringing back the “camera island” design for the first time in five years—since the Galaxy S21 Ultra. This change also aims to accommodate significant upgrades to the main and telephoto cameras. But Samsung is reportedly making an effort to balance this change by making the phone’s body thinner and lighter. The design would also have more rounded corners for a better grip. This design will ensure the phone is more comfortable to hold even with its increased camera bulk.
Lastly, Galaxy S26 Ultra is also expected to pack a powerful new processor and feature a cutting-edge privacy screen technology called ‘Flex Magic Pixel.”
After years of resting on their laurels, Apple and Samsung finally seem ready to wake up. Other Android brands—especially Chinese ones—have been leading the way in phone camera quality for years. However, we could finally see a change in this trend soon.
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