New ISOCELL sensor leaked for Galaxy S27 Ultra
Samsung plans to upgrade the primary camera sensor in its Galaxy S27 Ultra smartphone next year, according to a leak from Ice Universe. The new ISOCELL S5KHP6 sensor maintains the current format while incorporating advanced technologies, amid ongoing leaks despite the impending Galaxy S26 series launch.
Samsung has equipped its Galaxy S Ultra devices with identical camera sensors since 2023. These sensors have remained unchanged across multiple generations, including the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra models. The company has prioritized software enhancements over hardware changes in the camera systems of its flagship Galaxy S series phones during this period.
The Galaxy S26 series launch approaches, scheduled for the last week of February. This event represents one of Samsung’s major annual product unveilings. Preparations for the reveal continue, yet information about subsequent flagships, such as the Galaxy S27 Ultra, already circulates through leaks and rumors.
Speculation last week indicated potential upgrades for three of the four rear cameras on the Galaxy S27 Ultra. These upgrades would involve newer sensors replacing existing ones. Such changes would mark a departure from Samsung’s recent pattern of minimal hardware evolution in camera modules.
Ice Universe provided details on the primary camera sensor today. The Galaxy S27 Ultra will integrate the ISOCELL S5KHP6 sensor. This component represents Samsung’s latest development in image capture technology for its premium devices.
The size is the same as HP2.
But there are more new technologies being added. https://t.co/5qJlv0MCeB
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) January 11, 2026
The leaker omitted specifics on the sensor’s resolution. Samsung has maintained a 200-megapixel standard for primary sensors in recent years, starting with the ISOCELL HP2 in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. A reduction below this level appears improbable based on established benchmarks.
The ISOCELL S5KHP6 matches the physical dimensions of the current 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2. Both measure 1/1.3 inches in size. This consistency preserves compatibility with existing lens assemblies and optical designs in the Galaxy S Ultra series.
This sensor size positions it slightly smaller than competitors, such as Sony’s 200-megapixel LYT-901, which spans 1/1.12 inches. Larger sensors generally capture more light, influencing low-light performance and dynamic range.
Samsung initially considered adopting Sony’s 200-megapixel sensor for its devices. The company abandoned this approach due to pricing constraints. Development of an in-house alternative aligns with Samsung’s strategy to control costs and customize hardware for its ecosystem.
Although the sensor retains the same size, it incorporates new features. Ice Universe did not disclose exact enhancements. Expectations center on improvements in output quality and processing speeds, enabling faster image generation and refined computational photography.
A report from last month detailed Samsung’s work on an advanced image capture mechanism. This development resembles a global shutter system. Unlike conventional designs, a global shutter exposes and reads all pixels simultaneously across the entire sensor.
Current smartphone sensors, including those in Galaxy S Ultras, employ a rolling shutter method. This scans pixels row by row in sequence. The process introduces distortions, known as artifacts, particularly during rapid subject movement, such as in sports or action photography.
The proposed global shutter mechanism addresses these limitations by capturing the full scene at once. This eliminates rolling shutter effects, resulting in sharper images of moving objects. While unclear if this applies directly to the ISOCELL S5KHP6, the timing suggests a connection to Samsung’s sensor advancements.