Samsung is developing a massive 500MP camera for its next gen flagships!

Samsung is always pushing the boundaries when it comes to camera specs, and it seems they’re ready to take things even further. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is already a powerhouse, but the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra promises to raise the bar even higher. Not just that the company is also developing sensors for the iPhone with rumors of a massive 500MP one. Let's unpack all this in this short and sweet piece.

Samsung's new camera sensors

500MP sensor for the S26 Ultra?

When it comes to high-resolution smartphone camera sensors, Samsung is THAT famous guy in the group who everyone wants to be friends with. Continuing this legacy, the South Korean tech giant is developing a 500 MP camera sensor. Yes, you read that right, a jaw-dropping 500 megapixels! So what does that mean? That simply means more pixels....a LOT MORE PIXELS. You'd get super sharp images, and with a sensor like that, even cropped-in shots would look detailed and to the point. It's unlikely that we'll see it anytime soon though, but maybe the S26 Ultra in 2026? Who knows!

New image sensor for iPhone too

But that's not all. Samsung has got something for its biggest competitor too. Rumors have it that the South Korean giant is experimenting with a three-layer stacked image sensor in a PD-TR-Logic configuration for Apple. This sensor will improve photo quality, especially in low-light conditions, while offering faster image capture and better dynamic range. That means that the next iPhone (hopefully the iPhone 18 Pro Max or Ultra) will be a strong contender against the then Android flagship S26 Ultra. In simpler terms, all it means is that this new sensor in your iPhone will make your photos look crisper, clearer, and more vibrant, even when the lighting isn’t perfect. This new sensor could even outshine the current leader in the space, Sony’s Exmor RS used in full-fledged cameras by the way. What an interesting development!

• Also, read:
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will feature the first ever 2nd gen Gorilla Armor Glass
  • Samsung unveils “AI Hybrid Cooling Technology” that gives more storage and efficiency
  • Samsung is coming up with an XR headset to go against Apple Vision Pro!

While Sony has been Apple’s main supplier of CMOS image sensors (CIS), this shift in technology could signal some big changes for the iPhone’s camera performance. And, on top of all this, the iPhone 18 might be the first iPhone to feature a variable aperture on its main camera. With both of these updates, we expect the iPhone 18 series to bring massive improvements in terms of overall photography experience!

• Meanwhile, watch our Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Review: