Samsung made a surprising change to the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera by replacing the periscope telephoto lens with a traditional design. The 5x telephoto module now uses a conventional lens assembly instead of the prism-based system found in the S25 Ultra. This switch affects minimum focus distance, which has doubled from 26cm to 52cm, making close-up shots more challenging.

While the aperture has widened from f/3.4 to f/2.9 for better low-light performance, the real difference lies in bokeh quality. Traditional lenses create rounder bokeh shapes compared to the rectangular patterns produced by periscope designs. This change may appeal to photography enthusiasts who prioritize aesthetic background blur over extreme close-up capabilities.

The decision likely wasn't made for the aperture improvement alone. Samsung's official materials don't mention the lens type change, suggesting the company may be downplaying this significant hardware modification. For users who primarily use telephoto for distant subjects, the traditional lens offers a more pleasing bokeh effect. However, those who enjoy macro-style photography with their telephoto lens will find the S26 Ultra less versatile in this regard compared to its predecessor.