Newly discovered firmware details suggest Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus will deliver targeted upgrades to camera hardware, video capabilities, and battery performance, addressing previous criticism of incremental changes in the company’s non-Ultra flagships.
According to information obtained by Smartprix from leaked firmware strings, both devices are expected to replace the long-used 50MP ISOCELL S5KGN3 main sensor with a newer 50MP ISOCELL S5KGNG unit. The updated primary camera is positioned as a core hardware change compared with recent generations, which relied on refinements to an older sensor.
The leak also indicates a notable improvement to the telephoto system. Samsung is reportedly moving from the 10MP ISOCELL S5K3K1 telephoto sensor to a 12MP ISOCELL S5K3LD module on both the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. This change is expected to deliver sharper zoom images relative to the previous configuration. By contrast, the ultrawide camera is said to remain unchanged, continuing with the 12MP Sony IMX564 sensor used in earlier models.
On the video side, both models are tipped to support Samsung’s Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second on both front and rear cameras. This support is reported to apply regardless of chipset, suggesting a consistent video feature set across regional variants.
As in prior generations, Samsung is expected to split processors by market. The leaked firmware points to the Exynos 2600 powering models sold in most global regions, while units in markets such as the United States are expected to ship with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Despite this division, APV functionality is reportedly available across both platforms, indicating unified capabilities for high-quality capture.
Battery specifications appear to be adjusted more selectively. The Galaxy S26 is rumored to receive a capacity increase to 4,300 mAh, up from the 4,000 mAh battery in the Galaxy S25. This 300 mAh bump directly addresses endurance concerns raised by users of recent standard S-series devices. In contrast, the Galaxy S26 Plus is expected to retain the 4,900 mAh battery found in the Galaxy S25 Plus, with no reported increase in capacity for that model.
Efficiency improvements are expected to come from the new silicon and system-level optimizations referenced in the firmware. The combination of the Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with the reported hardware configuration is anticipated to enhance power management and thermal behavior compared with the previous generation. References in the leak also align with earlier indications that Samsung is exploring slimmer designs and potential Qi2 magnetic charging support, with the maintained or increased capacities positioned to preserve or improve practical battery life.
The changes outlined in the firmware suggest a deliberate focus on strengthening camera performance and battery reliability for Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus buyers who have previously cited these areas as key shortcomings versus the Ultra variants. The information, including sensor identifiers and battery capacities, originates from internal firmware strings and is consistent with other independent reports, but Samsung has not issued any official confirmation of the specifications.
