Leaks and Spy photosSamsung
Under-Display Cameras Are Still Flawed. Why Is Samsung Betting on One for the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Nick Papanikolopoulos
February 4, 2025
A new leak suggests that the Galaxy S26 Ultra might come without a visible camera hole. Tipster @kro says a prototype exists with no punch-hole cutout. This suggests Samsung is testing an under-display camera (UDC), a technology it first used in the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Instead of a punch-hole, a UDC hides the camera under the screen, making the display look seamless. It works by reducing pixel density over the camera, letting in more light.
Is an Under-Display Camera a Good Idea?
The concept sounds exciting, but UDC cameras still don’t match regular front cameras in quality. Samsung has improved this tech since 2021, and its image processing software helps reduce the quality gap. Still, these cameras aren’t great for high-quality selfies. That’s why Samsung mainly uses them in foldable phones, like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which has five cameras—including a 10MP front camera to balance UDC’s weaknesses.
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The Galaxy S26 Ultra, however, has just one front-facing camera, making it uncertain if a UDC is the right choice. Samsung is still testing this tech, and there’s no guarantee it will be used in the final version.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: A True Full-Screen Samsung?
If Samsung perfects UDC technology, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could be the start of a new era for smartphone screens. But if image quality remains an issue, Samsung may keep the punch-hole camera for another year.
For now, the Galaxy S25 Ultra sticks with the old design. If the S26 Ultra ditches the punch-hole, it could be a major leap forward—but only if Samsung is confident in the technology.
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We’ll have to wait and see if this big upgrade happens.
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