If this leak about the S26 Ultra is accurate, your portraits might appear more natural.

If this leak about the S26 Ultra is accurate, your portraits might appear more natural.

      The tipster indicates that Samsung has enhanced skin tones that have a yellow bias.

      A leak regarding the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera is making a very particular claim: that photographs of people will more accurately reflect the subject in front of you, rather than presenting a warmer, yellowish version. This information comes from a post by the tipster Ice Universe and suggests that Samsung is adjusting both its color tuning and camera optics.

      The same leak also mentions that Samsung has reduced lens flare with a new lens and improved coating. While this change may not be highlighted in a keynote presentation, it can significantly impact whether a portrait appears sharp or somewhat blurry when a bright window, streetlight, or neon sign appears in the frame. However, Samsung has not confirmed these details.

      Skin tone is the key indicator

      Skin tone is the quickest way to identify a smartphone camera's "style." If the processing is overly warm, faces can appear unnatural indoors, and this effect can be amplified in mixed lighting.

      We have pointed out this particular issue in previous Galaxy tests. In a camera comparison between the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S21, it was noted that the S23 tended to render subjects "a bit yellow," which aligns with the complaint this leak claims Samsung is addressing.

      Additionally, flare can worsen the situation. Unwanted reflections and streaks around bright highlights can diminish contrast across a face, as highlighted in recent comparisons like the Galaxy S25 Plus versus the iPhone 16 Pro shootout, which noted flare in portrait shots.

      The significance of a minor optics adjustment

      Should this rumor be accurate, the important takeaway isn't about upgraded megapixels, but rather clearer images. Adjustments to lens coatings and processing methods can alter the quality of everyday photos, even if the specifications seem similar.

      This emphasis on improvements comes at a time when general discussions about the S26 have leaned towards incremental updates. The rumored camera enhancements for the Galaxy S26 may not meet high expectations, so a noticeable improvement in every portrait could be more meaningful than a slight hardware upgrade.

      What to consider before making a purchase

      When early hands-on reviews are available, focus on consistent stress test images rather than appealing sample galleries: backlit faces, mixed indoor lighting, and night portraits with harsh point lights (streetlights, headlights, bright signs). Such scenarios will reveal both the tuning of skin tones and the effectiveness of coatings in reducing haze. If Samsung has indeed enhanced facial color and minimized glare, these improvements should become apparent in direct comparisons.

      If you're eager to see the latest camera phones, check out the current top models while waiting for these leaks to surface.

      Paulo Vargas is an English major who has transitioned through roles as a reporter and technical writer, consistently returning to topics related to technology.

      Watch Samsung’s TriFold experience an unfortunate first in a durability test

      Yes, it’s quite a fragile device.

      Zack Nelson gifted his 9.7 million YouTube subscribers with a durability test of Samsung’s TriFold smartphone. “Every so often, a piece of technology arrives on my desk that makes me almost feel bad for what’s going to happen ... almost,” says the creator of JerryRigEverything at the test's beginning, creating a strong impression that things will not end favorably for Samsung’s first phone featuring two hinges.

      Your Galaxy S26 may enable satellite calls, suggests Samsung

      Samsung's Exynos Modem 5410 boasts LTE DTC for voice calls, along with two other satellite modes, indicating a broader off-grid safety feature.

      Samsung is positioning itself for a potential enhancement in Galaxy S26 satellite connectivity, as it describes the Exynos Modem 5410. The company states that the modem is compatible with three different satellite network types, with one being linked to voice calls, indicating a more practical use beyond just emergency satellite messaging.

      Here’s how Samsung’s in-house GPU could enhance your next Galaxy smartphone

      Your next Galaxy might come equipped with a more intelligent and efficient GPU.

      Samsung plans a significant shift for its smartphone processors, with reports suggesting that the company will launch a chip featuring its own fully in-house GPU by 2027. According to reports, Samsung’s System LSI team is diligently working on a next-generation chip, possibly named the Exynos 2800. This chip is expected to include a graphics unit entirely developed on Samsung's own architecture, representing a departure from its previous dependence on external designs.

If this leak about the S26 Ultra is accurate, your portraits might appear more natural. If this leak about the S26 Ultra is accurate, your portraits might appear more natural. If this leak about the S26 Ultra is accurate, your portraits might appear more natural. If this leak about the S26 Ultra is accurate, your portraits might appear more natural.

Other articles

This camera innovation may soon allow you to capture images with everything in sharp focus. This camera innovation may soon allow you to capture images with everything in sharp focus. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a novel lens that can maintain focus on every aspect of a scene. The Exynos 2600 may offer enhanced on-device AI performance for the Galaxy S26 series. The Exynos 2600 may offer enhanced on-device AI performance for the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung is said to have teamed up with Nota AI to improve the on-device AI features of the Exynos 2600. A $1,000 discount makes it more justifiable to purchase this RTX 5090 Legion Pro 7i. A $1,000 discount makes it more justifiable to purchase this RTX 5090 Legion Pro 7i. If you've been keeping an eye on premium gaming laptops and are looking for a significant discount, this is one of the rare price reductions that makes a difference. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i model featuring a 16-inch WQXGA OLED 240Hz screen, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5090, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD is now available for [...] This portable gaming device will enable you to have a large 8-inch display conveniently in your pocket. This portable gaming device will enable you to have a large 8-inch display conveniently in your pocket. The OneXSugar Wallet is a forthcoming gaming handheld that includes an 8.01-inch folding OLED display, designed in a retro clamshell style. If you long for smaller phones, the iPhone Fold could satisfy that desire. If you long for smaller phones, the iPhone Fold could satisfy that desire. A basic 3D printed prototype illustrates the potential size of Apple's speculated iPhone Fold when closed, featuring a cover display of approximately 5.4 inches and a larger internal screen upon opening. In a time when individuality is a form of social currency more precious than gold, digital customization is revolutionizing consumer products, ranging from gaming controllers to daily clothing. Co-founded by Levi Patterson, Spectrum, located in Portland, has developed an advanced 3D-to-factory platform that facilitates personalized designs for prominent brands such as Xbox, Carhartt, and Hydro Flask.

Levi also co-founded the marketing agency Pollinate, where he leverages his knowledge to enhance strategic integrations that transform user interaction with custom items.

In a discussion with Digital Trends, Mr. Patterson shares insights on the engineering breakthroughs that allow for realistic product previews, the challenges of scaling these systems globally, and the future of engaging, tailored experiences in gaming and other areas.

Digital Trends (DT): As one of the founders at Spectrum since 2011, what ignited your interest in 3D product customization, and how has your marketing experience from co-founding Pollinate shaped the platform’s emphasis on seamless consumer experiences like Xbox Design Lab? What obstacles do companies encounter when incorporating 3D visualization tools, like those used in Xbox Design Lab’s real-time previews, into e-commerce, and how does this affect the experience for casual vs. hardcore customizers?

Levi Patterson (LP): My decade-long experience in digital marketing prior to launching Spectrum provided us with valuable insights into our priorities. It quickly became clear that “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) is a fundamental expectation among customers. Consequently, we recognized the necessity to develop 3D visualization, which ultimately evolved into 3DTrue, focusing on accurately representing customer creations in 3D. Our commitment to our clients and their users is to ensure that what’s designed on-screen aligns with what arrives in the package. Thankfully, this expectation is consistent among both casual and hardcore users, prompting us to prioritize premium visualization as our default. While this has been a challenge, we have continually adapted and progressed.

DT: Spectrum boasts a 100% factory integration rate across various brands. Can you describe a significant “aha” moment early on that convinced you this technology could bridge the digital design and real-world manufacturing gap?

LP: Unlike many configuration solutions that concentrate on the front end, we invest substantial time in factories and embellishment facilities aligning digital designs with reality for automated file delivery. Initially, we worried that we had taken on too much, but witnessing our first fully sublimated garment come off the production line was a defining moment, affirming that we had something remarkable. Attention to detail is crucial, and we've successfully codified those details into our platform.

DT: Spectrum's data indicates a 72% reduction in 3D load speeds and a 63% decrease in resource sizes. How did your team prioritize these improvements for crucial applications like Xbox Design Lab, and what does this mean for gamers adjusting designs on mobile devices?

LP: Our team at Spectrum has dedicated years to fine-tuning our 3D asset pipeline to ensure optimization at every stage. Beginning with the models, we take the provided CAD files, reconstruct only the visible components, and aim for clean, quadrangulated topology to facilitate straightforward texture assignment. The team's focus on weight, map counts, size, and device detection all enhance swift, interactive experiences across desktop and mobile platforms. These memory optimizations support more real-time features—like translucency, sheens, lightmaps, and intricate animations—allowing us to expand the limits of what can be done while sustaining sustainable frame rates.

DT: With precise material rendering for everything from controller plastics to Carhartt fabrics, how does Spectrum tackle the challenges of simulating textures such as leather or metal in real-time, and might this evolve to facilitate AR try-ons for custom gaming peripherals?

LP: Our PBR approach, combined with the scanning technologies we've embraced over the years, leads to the creation of highly authentic materials. To accurately replicate existing products in 3D, we also receive samples to observe how the surface interacts with light. Moreover, all assets are constructed to real-world scale, making it easy to transition into an AR environment using supported formats.

DT: Features like roster/group orders and artwork re-coloring seem transformative for teams or esports squads. Could you highlight one lesser-known tool in Spectrum’s toolkit that has changed how brands like JBL or Leatherman engage their communities?

LP: Moderation comes to mind as a crucial feature since protecting the brand is vital. We aim to provide users with a platform for their creativity while maintaining boundaries. We've been employing AI for this purpose long before ChatGPT gained mainstream attention, analyzing images in real-time to detect inappropriate content, copyright infringement, or prohibited terms and phrases.

DT: Drawing from successes like Life is Good Custom and Hydro Flask's personalization, what insights have you applied from apparel and drinkware to gaming gear, and how might Spectrum expand into custom VR headsets or modular console skins?

LP: We can now visualize nearly anything on any product In a time when individuality is a form of social currency more precious than gold, digital customization is revolutionizing consumer products, ranging from gaming controllers to daily clothing. Co-founded by Levi Patterson, Spectrum, located in Portland, has developed an advanced 3D-to-factory platform that facilitates personalized designs for prominent brands such as Xbox, Carhartt, and Hydro Flask. Levi also co-founded the marketing agency Pollinate, where he leverages his knowledge to enhance strategic integrations that transform user interaction with custom items. In a discussion with Digital Trends, Mr. Patterson shares insights on the engineering breakthroughs that allow for realistic product previews, the challenges of scaling these systems globally, and the future of engaging, tailored experiences in gaming and other areas. Digital Trends (DT): As one of the founders at Spectrum since 2011, what ignited your interest in 3D product customization, and how has your marketing experience from co-founding Pollinate shaped the platform’s emphasis on seamless consumer experiences like Xbox Design Lab? What obstacles do companies encounter when incorporating 3D visualization tools, like those used in Xbox Design Lab’s real-time previews, into e-commerce, and how does this affect the experience for casual vs. hardcore customizers? Levi Patterson (LP): My decade-long experience in digital marketing prior to launching Spectrum provided us with valuable insights into our priorities. It quickly became clear that “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) is a fundamental expectation among customers. Consequently, we recognized the necessity to develop 3D visualization, which ultimately evolved into 3DTrue, focusing on accurately representing customer creations in 3D. Our commitment to our clients and their users is to ensure that what’s designed on-screen aligns with what arrives in the package. Thankfully, this expectation is consistent among both casual and hardcore users, prompting us to prioritize premium visualization as our default. While this has been a challenge, we have continually adapted and progressed. DT: Spectrum boasts a 100% factory integration rate across various brands. Can you describe a significant “aha” moment early on that convinced you this technology could bridge the digital design and real-world manufacturing gap? LP: Unlike many configuration solutions that concentrate on the front end, we invest substantial time in factories and embellishment facilities aligning digital designs with reality for automated file delivery. Initially, we worried that we had taken on too much, but witnessing our first fully sublimated garment come off the production line was a defining moment, affirming that we had something remarkable. Attention to detail is crucial, and we've successfully codified those details into our platform. DT: Spectrum's data indicates a 72% reduction in 3D load speeds and a 63% decrease in resource sizes. How did your team prioritize these improvements for crucial applications like Xbox Design Lab, and what does this mean for gamers adjusting designs on mobile devices? LP: Our team at Spectrum has dedicated years to fine-tuning our 3D asset pipeline to ensure optimization at every stage. Beginning with the models, we take the provided CAD files, reconstruct only the visible components, and aim for clean, quadrangulated topology to facilitate straightforward texture assignment. The team's focus on weight, map counts, size, and device detection all enhance swift, interactive experiences across desktop and mobile platforms. These memory optimizations support more real-time features—like translucency, sheens, lightmaps, and intricate animations—allowing us to expand the limits of what can be done while sustaining sustainable frame rates. DT: With precise material rendering for everything from controller plastics to Carhartt fabrics, how does Spectrum tackle the challenges of simulating textures such as leather or metal in real-time, and might this evolve to facilitate AR try-ons for custom gaming peripherals? LP: Our PBR approach, combined with the scanning technologies we've embraced over the years, leads to the creation of highly authentic materials. To accurately replicate existing products in 3D, we also receive samples to observe how the surface interacts with light. Moreover, all assets are constructed to real-world scale, making it easy to transition into an AR environment using supported formats. DT: Features like roster/group orders and artwork re-coloring seem transformative for teams or esports squads. Could you highlight one lesser-known tool in Spectrum’s toolkit that has changed how brands like JBL or Leatherman engage their communities? LP: Moderation comes to mind as a crucial feature since protecting the brand is vital. We aim to provide users with a platform for their creativity while maintaining boundaries. We've been employing AI for this purpose long before ChatGPT gained mainstream attention, analyzing images in real-time to detect inappropriate content, copyright infringement, or prohibited terms and phrases. DT: Drawing from successes like Life is Good Custom and Hydro Flask's personalization, what insights have you applied from apparel and drinkware to gaming gear, and how might Spectrum expand into custom VR headsets or modular console skins? LP: We can now visualize nearly anything on any product The AirPods Pro 3 and the Timekettle W4 both provide real-time translation, yet one stands out as the superior option.

If this leak about the S26 Ultra is accurate, your portraits might appear more natural.

A leak regarding the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera is presenting a clear proposition: photographs of people that resemble the individual in front of you more accurately, rather than a warmer, yellow-tinted version. This information originates from a post by tipster Ice Universe, indicating that Samsung is adjusting both its color calibration and the camera's optics. The same […]