Has the era of 12 MP photos finally ended? The Galaxy S26 series improves shots to 24 MP

For years, the world of mobile photography has remained anchored to a de facto standard: the 12-megapixel resolution.

Although sensors have reached astronomical figures, arriving even at 200 MP, the majority of smartphones continue to shoot by default at 12 MP through the pixel binning technique to save space and improve brightness.

However, it seems that Samsung is ready to shake up this habit with the arrival of the Galaxy S26 series, improving the 24 MP shooting mode for a better balance between detail and practicality.

Samsung Galaxy S26: a quality leap beyond the simple number of pixels

Recent rumors from reputable industry sources suggest a significant change in image processing for the upcoming flagship devices from the South Korean company.

According to the well-known leaker Ice Universe, the Galaxy S26 will include a 24 MP shooting option that will not be limited to a simple increase in resolution, but will offer a substantially superior image processing.

Until now, Samsung users could experience 24 MP mainly through the Expert RAW app, but results haven’t always been impeccable. The new implementation planned for the S26 series aims to address the issues that emerged previously.

The leaked information indicates that the new mode will avoid issues of “over-sharpening” (excessive artificial sharpness) and chromatic aberrations, such as the “purple fringing”, which often affect backlit shots or portraits.

The goal is to obtain images that the leaker defines as “clearly better” than the traditional 12 MP shots, offering a more natural and detailed rendering.

Powerful processing and ease of use

One of the most interesting aspects of this revelation concerns the technical handling of the shot. The processing of these 24 MP images will take about three seconds to complete. However, this data should not scare the end user: the processing will occur entirely in the background.

Ice Universe has stated that no perceptible delay will occur when pressing the shutter button; the shutter will respond instantly, ensuring a smooth experience.

This hidden processing will not only allow shooting without delays, but will also support continuous shooting. Users will therefore capture rapid sequences of 24 MP images without the phone showing signs of slow-down, a key feature to not miss the fleeting moment.

Additionally, it seems confirmed that this resolution will be available both in Standard Photo mode and in Portrait mode, greatly expanding creative possibilities.

Software integration and market context

To access this feature, users will probably need to follow a preliminary step. The rumors indicate that the mode must be enabled first through Camera Assistant; once activated, it will appear as a selectable option directly in the Galaxy S26’s default camera app.

Unfortunately, this innovation seems to be an exclusive to the new S26 series, presumably excluding owners of older models.

Samsung’s move fits into a rapidly evolving, competitive landscape. Rivals such as OPPO, OnePlus and Realme have already begun embracing the adoption of high-resolution photos as standard.

Devices such as the Realme GT 8 Pro and OPPO Find X9 Pro, for example, are already able to dynamically adjust the resolution, shooting at 50 MP or around 26 MP in well-lit conditions, then automatically switching to 12 MP in low-light scenarios to maximize light capture.