Jenith
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The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultraâs wide camera shoots at 12MP by default, but there is a higher-resolution option that sits between that and the full 200MP mode: a 24MP shooting mode that you can enable through the Camera Assistant app.
It is not turned on out of the box, but once enabled it becomes a practical everyday shooting option that captures more detail than 12MP without the file size or processing demands of shooting at full resolution.
Here is a quick summary of what the 24MP mode offers:
The Galaxy S26 Ultraâs camera system includes multiple resolution options. The default 12MP mode uses pixel binning â combining data from multiple pixels into one â to produce clean, well-processed shots. At the other end, the 200MP mode captures the full sensor output for maximum detail.
The 24MP mode sits in between. It uses more of the sensor than 12MP while still applying some pixel binning, which means it delivers more detail than the default without the trade-offs that come with full 200MP shooting (such as lower dynamic range).
It is designed for situations where you want better image quality than the default but not the constraints of shooting at maximum resolution.
At 12MP, the camera uses heavy pixel binning to produce highly processed, clean images. The results are excellent in most situations â good dynamic range, low noise, and fast processing.
But there is a trade-off: you have less raw detail to work with, which limits how much you can crop while maintaining quality.
At 24MP, you get noticeably sharper textures and more detail in things like clothing, foliage, and architecture. The difference is most visible when you crop in or view images at full size.
For everyday shooting where you want a bit more flexibility in editing, 24MP is a meaningful step up from the default without making the experience noticeably slower or more complicated.
The 200MP mode captures every pixel on the sensor individually, which gives you enormous detail and cropping flexibility.
But there are practical trade-offs. At 200MP, the camera is locked to the wide camera â you lose access to the 3x and 5x telephoto cameras. File sizes are also significantly larger, which affects storage and processing time.
In bright light, the mode can also produce overexposed highlights that are harder to recover.
The 24MP mode avoids most of these issues. You retain access to all zoom lenses, file sizes stay manageable, and the image processing remains balanced.
For most users who do not specifically need the full 200MP resolution, 24MP is the more practical high-resolution option for everyday use.
The 24MP shooting mode is not available in the camera app by default. It is enabled through the Camera Assistant app, which is a free download from the Galaxy Store.
Camera Assistant is Samsungâs dedicated tool for unlocking additional camera settings that are not exposed in the camera app.
To enable it, open the Galaxy Store on your Galaxy S26 Ultra, search for Camera Assistant, and install it.
Once installed, open the camera appâs settings, navigate to Camera Assistant > 24 MP resolution and enable the 24 MP in Photo mode option.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Camera-Assistant-24MP-mode.jpg
Enabling 24MP mode via Camera Assistant – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
Once enabled, you can switch to 24MP mode directly from the camera interface, either through the resolution toggle at the top of the screen or through the camera settings.
The 24MP mode is most useful when you know you want to crop into a photo, print at a large size, or keep finer detail in the shot.
It is also a good option when shooting subjects with a lot of texture â fabric, plants, architecture, or anything where fine detail matters.
For everyday photos where you are not planning to crop heavily or print large, the default 12MP mode is still a strong choice. It processes quickly and produces consistent results in a wide range of lighting conditions.
But for situations where you want more to work with in editing, 24MP is worth switching to. It adds detail without adding the friction of shooting at 200MP.
The Galaxy S26 Ultraâs wide camera has an f/1.4 aperture, letting in 47% more light than the Galaxy S25 Ultraâs f/1.7 lens, the same hardware upgrade that powers the Galaxy S26 Ultraâs Nightography[1] improvements.
That wider aperture benefits all shooting modes including 24MP, meaning the sensor receives more light before processing begins and helps maintain image quality at higher resolutions in difficult lighting.
In very low light, the default 12MP mode produces clean results thanks to its heavier pixel binning.
But if you need the extra detail â for a dimly lit interior shot you want to crop, for example â the f/1.4 aperture gives 24MP mode enough light to work with and produce a usable result.
[1] Nightography: Results may vary depending on light condition, subject and/or shooting conditions.
It is not turned on out of the box, but once enabled it becomes a practical everyday shooting option that captures more detail than 12MP without the file size or processing demands of shooting at full resolution.
Here is a quick summary of what the 24MP mode offers:
- More detail than 12MP: Captures sharper textures and finer detail, with more flexibility to crop in post.
- Better balance than 200MP: Avoids the overexposure and noise issues that can appear at maximum resolution.
- Works across zoom levels: Unlike 200MP mode, 24MP keeps access to different zoom lenses.
- Enabled via Camera Assistant: Available as a free download from the Galaxy Store.
What is the 24MP camera mode on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Galaxy S26 Ultraâs camera system includes multiple resolution options. The default 12MP mode uses pixel binning â combining data from multiple pixels into one â to produce clean, well-processed shots. At the other end, the 200MP mode captures the full sensor output for maximum detail.
The 24MP mode sits in between. It uses more of the sensor than 12MP while still applying some pixel binning, which means it delivers more detail than the default without the trade-offs that come with full 200MP shooting (such as lower dynamic range).
It is designed for situations where you want better image quality than the default but not the constraints of shooting at maximum resolution.
How does 24MP compare to 12MP on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
At 12MP, the camera uses heavy pixel binning to produce highly processed, clean images. The results are excellent in most situations â good dynamic range, low noise, and fast processing.
But there is a trade-off: you have less raw detail to work with, which limits how much you can crop while maintaining quality.
At 24MP, you get noticeably sharper textures and more detail in things like clothing, foliage, and architecture. The difference is most visible when you crop in or view images at full size.
For everyday shooting where you want a bit more flexibility in editing, 24MP is a meaningful step up from the default without making the experience noticeably slower or more complicated.
How does 24MP compare to 200MP on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The 200MP mode captures every pixel on the sensor individually, which gives you enormous detail and cropping flexibility.
But there are practical trade-offs. At 200MP, the camera is locked to the wide camera â you lose access to the 3x and 5x telephoto cameras. File sizes are also significantly larger, which affects storage and processing time.
In bright light, the mode can also produce overexposed highlights that are harder to recover.
The 24MP mode avoids most of these issues. You retain access to all zoom lenses, file sizes stay manageable, and the image processing remains balanced.
For most users who do not specifically need the full 200MP resolution, 24MP is the more practical high-resolution option for everyday use.
How do you enable 24MP mode on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The 24MP shooting mode is not available in the camera app by default. It is enabled through the Camera Assistant app, which is a free download from the Galaxy Store.
Camera Assistant is Samsungâs dedicated tool for unlocking additional camera settings that are not exposed in the camera app.
To enable it, open the Galaxy Store on your Galaxy S26 Ultra, search for Camera Assistant, and install it.
Once installed, open the camera appâs settings, navigate to Camera Assistant > 24 MP resolution and enable the 24 MP in Photo mode option.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Camera-Assistant-24MP-mode.jpg
Enabling 24MP mode via Camera Assistant – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
Once enabled, you can switch to 24MP mode directly from the camera interface, either through the resolution toggle at the top of the screen or through the camera settings.
When should you use 24MP on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The 24MP mode is most useful when you know you want to crop into a photo, print at a large size, or keep finer detail in the shot.
It is also a good option when shooting subjects with a lot of texture â fabric, plants, architecture, or anything where fine detail matters.
For everyday photos where you are not planning to crop heavily or print large, the default 12MP mode is still a strong choice. It processes quickly and produces consistent results in a wide range of lighting conditions.
But for situations where you want more to work with in editing, 24MP is worth switching to. It adds detail without adding the friction of shooting at 200MP.
Does 24MP mode work with Nightography on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Galaxy S26 Ultraâs wide camera has an f/1.4 aperture, letting in 47% more light than the Galaxy S25 Ultraâs f/1.7 lens, the same hardware upgrade that powers the Galaxy S26 Ultraâs Nightography[1] improvements.
That wider aperture benefits all shooting modes including 24MP, meaning the sensor receives more light before processing begins and helps maintain image quality at higher resolutions in difficult lighting.
In very low light, the default 12MP mode produces clean results thanks to its heavier pixel binning.
But if you need the extra detail â for a dimly lit interior shot you want to crop, for example â the f/1.4 aperture gives 24MP mode enough light to work with and produce a usable result.
[1] Nightography: Results may vary depending on light condition, subject and/or shooting conditions.