Leaked firmware analyzed by Smartprix indicates Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus will introduce revised camera hardware and adjusted battery capacities worldwide to enhance imaging performance and power efficiency.
The firmware strings reference a replacement of the long-used 50MP ISOCELL S5KGN3 primary sensor with Samsung’s newer 50MP ISOCELL S5KGNG in both models. This change, derived directly from internal identifiers, points to an updated main camera architecture while retaining the same resolution, signaling an emphasis on sensor generation rather than pixel count increases.
Alongside the main sensor revision, the telephoto module is listed as shifting from the 10MP ISOCELL S5K3K1 used in previous non-Ultra Galaxy S-series devices to a 12MP ISOCELL S5K3LD. The higher-resolution telephoto component is expected, based on its specifications in the leak, to capture more detailed zoom images, with the upgrade targeting sharper output in optical and hybrid zoom scenarios where earlier models faced limitations.
The ultrawide camera configuration diverges from the overhaul seen on the main and telephoto units. Firmware entries indicate continued use of the 12MP Sony IMX564 sensor for ultrawide capture on both the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. Maintaining this sensor suggests Samsung intends to concentrate its hardware adjustments on primary and zoom performance, leaving the established ultrawide system unchanged within this generation’s leak-based specification set.
The same firmware data attributes several video capabilities to both devices, most notably support for Samsung’s Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec. According to the leak, APV will operate at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second on both rear and front cameras. This uniform codec support across camera positions is presented as a core video feature rather than a region-limited or model-limited enhancement.
Chipset allocation is described as following Samsung’s familiar split-market strategy. The documents point to the Exynos 2600 platform serving as the primary processor in most regions, while Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is slated for select markets such as the United States. The leak specifies that APV support is planned to remain consistent on both chipsets, indicating feature parity even with differing silicon suppliers.
Battery information within the same firmware build outlines distinct approaches for the two models. The Galaxy S26 is reported to receive a 4,300 mAh battery, increasing capacity by 300 mAh compared with the Galaxy S25’s 4,000 mAh cell. This adjustment marks a measurable alteration in the standard model’s endurance profile while remaining within conventional flagship size constraints.
The Galaxy S26 Plus, by contrast, is indicated to retain a 4,900 mAh battery, mirroring the capacity of the Galaxy S25 Plus without numerical expansion. The documentation does not describe a larger cell for this tier, focusing instead on maintaining the existing capacity while pairing it with the updated processors referenced elsewhere in the leak.
Smartprix’s report also references expectations that improved efficiency from the Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, together with Samsung’s ongoing hardware design refinements, could yield longer practical battery life than raw capacity figures alone suggest. Potential Qi2 magnetic charging support is cited as under consideration in this context, linked to Samsung’s broader move toward slimmer frames and charging standard updates.
The outlined camera and battery revisions directly correspond to recurring user feedback about non-Ultra Galaxy S models, specifically regarding telephoto clarity and daily longevity. All cited specifications, including the S5KGNG and S5K3LD sensors, APV codec implementation, chipset split, and listed capacities, originate from leaked firmware strings that Smartprix states are consistent with other independent reports, while remaining unconfirmed by Samsung at this stage.
