Samsung Galaxy S26 cameras get low-light and zoom refinements, alongside AI search and assistant upgrades

Samsung Electronics introduced the Galaxy S26 series at its Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event, with incremental upgrades to its camera system, focusing on improved low-light imaging, enhanced zoom capabilities and deeper AI-assisted editing tools rather than a radical hardware overhaul.

Hardware upgrades led by S26 Ultra

Samsung has also retained its multi-zoom approach, with the Ultra offering a 50MP periscope telephoto system designed for high-quality optical zoom, alongside additional telephoto support for intermediate focal lengths. The company said the updates are intended to deliver sharper long-range images and more stable video recording, particularly in challenging lighting.

Across the lineup, Samsung is positioning this year’s imaging upgrades as evolutionary — focusing on consistency, colour accuracy and stabilisation rather than headline-grabbing sensor changes.

AI editing and contextual camera features

Samsung placed greater stress on software this year, introducing enhanced AI editing capabilities that allow users to adjust photos more intuitively and refine images automatically for tone, lighting and portrait balance.

These features tie into the company’s broader push toward an AI-driven user experience. The S26 series ships with deeper integration of Google Gemini, enabling the assistant to work across apps and content on the device, including helping organise or interact with photos and visual information.

Samsung also expanded its "circle to search" functionality developed with Google. The updated version allows users to circle multiple objects on screen at once — for instance items within a photo or video frame — to search or shop them instantly, linking the camera experience more directly with discovery and commerce tools.

Part of a broader ecosystem shift

While cameras remain a key part of the Galaxy S26’s appeal, Samsung’s messaging suggests imaging is increasingly being framed as part of a wider AI ecosystem rather than a standalone hardware race.

The company is aiming to make photography, editing and visual search flow more seamlessly within everyday phone use by combining incremental optical upgrades with deeper AI search and assistant capabilities.

The Galaxy S26 series, unveiled on February 25, is expected to go on sale globally in March, with Samsung betting that practical improvements in image quality and AI-powered tools will matter more to buyers than radical camera hardware changes this year.