After two generations of underwhelming zoom performance, Samsung is revamping its folded zoom camera strategy in the Galaxy S26 Ultra with MCNEX stepping in
The 5X Zoom “Curse” May Finally End
Samsung is reportedly taking decisive action to fix one of the most persistent criticisms plaguing its recent flagship phones: the underperforming 5X telephoto zoom camera seen in both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra.
- According to a new report from Korea, Samsung has finalized supplier deals for the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s cameras — and one major shift stands out.
- South Korean supplier MCNEX will now provide the 5X folded zoom module, replacing Sunny Optical, which was partly blamed for the subpar performance in the last two models.
Industry sources suggest quality issues and supply instability from Sunny Optical have driven Samsung to seek a more reliable and consistent zoom solution.
Galaxy S26 Ultra’s New Camera Setup (Highlights)
| Camera | Resolution | New Supplier Info |
|---|---|---|
| Main (Wide) | 200MP | Likely from Samsung Electro-Mechanics |
| Ultra-Wide | 50MP | No major changes; same suppliers expected |
| Telephoto (3X) | 12MP (upgraded) | New suppliers: Power Logics & Patron |
| Periscope (5X) | 50MP | New supplier: MCNEX, replacing Sunny Optical |
- The 3X telephoto camera will get an upgrade from 10MP to 12MP, and Samsung is switching suppliers here too — from MCNEX to Power Logics and Patron.
- The 200MP main camera and 50MP ultra-wide are expected to stay, with minor optimizations such as better light intake for improved low-light performance.
Why the 5X Zoom Was a Problem
Despite the hardware potential of the S24 and S25 Ultra’s zoom modules, many reviewers and influencers found the image quality lacking, especially compared to Chinese competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi.
- Common complaints: soft details, inconsistent focus, and grainy low-light performance at 5X and beyond.
- While Sunny Optical was a key supplier, Samsung Electro-Mechanics also provided these modules — suggesting that the issue wasn’t entirely external.
By shifting more volume to MCNEX, Samsung may be looking to regain consumer trust and close the zoom quality gap.
What Makes MCNEX Different?
MCNEX is already known for delivering stable and high-quality modules — particularly the 3X zoom camera on past Galaxy Ultras, which has generally been better received than the 5X unit.
- The company specializes in mobile camera solutions, and its move to the 5X telephoto lens indicates strong internal confidence.
- This could also suggest that Samsung’s new folded zoom architecture will benefit from tighter tolerances and superior image processing calibration.
Future Tech on the Horizon: ALoP
Samsung is also rumored to be testing All Lenses on Prism (ALoP) technology — a more compact alternative to traditional periscope setups.
- ALoP reduces internal space requirements by redirecting all focal lengths through a single prism-like module.
- However, the report notes that ALoP is not yet ready for commercial use in flagship devices, so it’s unlikely to debut on the S26 Ultra.
Bigger Picture: A Better Ultra, Not a Reinvented One
The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera setup is shaping up to be iterative rather than revolutionary — but strategic changes in suppliers may resolve some of the most frustrating issues from the previous two generations.
- Combined with expected software improvements in One UI 8.5 and Galaxy AI 3.0, Samsung seems focused on refinement, consistency, and user satisfaction this cycle.
- The new supplier dynamics could quiet criticism, especially among photography enthusiasts and power users who felt let down by the previous zoom performance.
