The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, one of the most highly anticipated smartphones, may not meet the camera expectations of some fans. Despite hopes for an upgraded camera system, recent leaks suggest that Samsung will stick with the 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2 sensor, which was first introduced in the S23 Ultra earlier this year.
While this sensor offers an impressive resolution, it falls short in sensor size, leading to occasional issues like increased noise in darker areas of photos. Unfortunately, it seems that Samsung has no plans to upgrade the sensor’s size in the next two years.
Samsung’s Camera Plans for S24 and S25 Ultra
According to tweets from renowned tipster Ice Universe (now deleted), both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and its successor, the S25 Ultra, will feature the same 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2 sensor. Additionally, contrary to previous rumors about a 5x telephoto camera upgrade for the S24 Ultra, it appears that the 3x telephoto camera will remain unchanged. However, there is a glimmer of hope for photography enthusiasts, as an upgrade to the 10x telephoto camera is still a possibility.
Selfie Camera Stays Unchanged
The Dutch publication GalaxyClub reports that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup will not receive any hardware upgrades for their selfie cameras. They are expected to retain the 12MP front-facing camera found in the previous S23 lineup.
Continued Consistency in Camera Sensors
Sammobile points out that Samsung’s decision to use the same camera sensor for three years aligns with its earlier pattern seen with the S20 Ultra, S21 Ultra, and S22 Ultra models, all featuring the 108-megapixel camera. However, this approach may put Samsung at a disadvantage compared to its competitors.
Risks of Falling Behind Apple, a major competitor, is rumored to incorporate Sony’s 1/1.14-inch 48-megapixel camera sensor in its iPhone 15 Pro Max. This new sensor is said to be on par with the 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor used by various Chinese brands like OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi. If this holds true, Samsung could risk lagging behind not only its domestic rivals in terms of camera specifications but also international competitors like Apple.
Other Features to Look Forward
To Despite potential shortcomings in the camera department, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to come with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and fluid visuals. Additionally, innovative battery technology inspired by electric vehicles is reportedly in development. Samsung’s adoption of stacked battery technology promises improved efficiency and performance. Moreover, Samsung might return to using Exynos chips in the Galaxy S24 series, which could help the brand tackle its recent financial challenges.