Samsung’s focus on camera refinement for the Galaxy S26 Ultra is becoming increasingly clear, with a new leak shedding light on what’s coming next for its main camera hardware.
According to Ice Universe, the primary camera sensor used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be a new Samsung sensor internally referred to as S5KHP6, assuming Samsung sticks with its current naming scheme.
The main camera sensor of the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra will most likely be called S5KHP6, if Samsung doesn’t change the naming again.
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) January 11, 2026
Same Sensor Size, New Technology
Ice Universe notes that the physical sensor size remains the same as the HP2, meaning it matches the size used in recent Ultra models, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Rather than increasing sensor dimensions, Samsung appears to be focusing on new technologies within the same footprint.
This approach suggests Samsung is prioritising:
- Improved pixel architecture
- Enhanced light capture and processing
- Better HDR and low-light performance
- Smarter on-sensor processing
Keeping the same sensor size also allows Samsung to refine image quality without dramatically increasing camera bump thickness, something the company has clearly been addressing with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new rear design.
How the New Sensor Fits Samsung’s Camera Redesign
The move to the S5KHP6 sensor aligns closely with Samsung’s broader camera changes already seen across recent Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks.
Samsung has:
- Ditched the “vinyl record” camera rings
- Switched to slimmer, metal camera rings
- Introduced a more refined camera island layout
- Implemented a subtle two-layer camera platform to soften visual transitions
By keeping the primary sensor size unchanged while introducing new internal technologies, Samsung can deliver camera improvements without undoing the cleaner, more minimal rear design it is now pushing with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Why Samsung Isn’t Increasing Sensor Size Again
Larger sensors can improve image quality, but they also bring trade-offs — thicker camera bumps, heavier modules, and more aggressive rear designs.
Samsung’s decision to keep the same sensor size while upgrading internal tech suggests a more mature approach:
- Incremental image-quality gains
- Better consistency across shooting conditions
- Improved computational photography
- A more balanced hardware-to-design ratio
This strategy mirrors Samsung’s recent focus on polish and refinement, rather than chasing headline specs alone.
What This Means for the Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera
Taken together, the new sensor information and recent design leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra will offer:
- A new primary camera sensor (S5KHP6)
- The same sensor size as previous Ultra models
- Improved imaging through new sensor technologies
- A slimmer, more premium camera ring design
- A softened, two-layer camera island for better aesthetics
Rather than a radical overhaul, Samsung appears to be delivering a carefully engineered camera upgrade, balancing performance gains with a noticeably cleaner design.