# What is the hidden 24MP camera mode on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and how do I access it?

> Expert answer about Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra camera features

*Published: 2026-02-27 | Updated: 2026-02-27 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/galaxy-s26-ultra-hidden-24mp-camera-mode*

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## Product: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
**Brand:** Samsung

Here's a camera feature Samsung doesn't exactly advertise: the [Galaxy S26 Ultra](https://shopsavvy.com/products/samsung-samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-galaxy-s26-ultra-97x94afl) can shoot at 24MP, but you won't find it in the regular camera app. You need to download a separate app called Expert RAW.

## Wait, Why Would I Want 24MP?

Good question. The main camera is 200 megapixels, so 24MP sounds like a downgrade. But here's the thing: the default camera app uses pixel-binning. It combines multiple pixels together to get better low-light shots, giving you 12MP or 50MP images depending on the mode.

24MP sits in a sweet spot. You get more resolution than the standard 12MP photos without dealing with gigantic 200MP files that eat up storage and take forever to process.

## When This Actually Matters

- You want to crop into your photos without losing detail
- You're printing larger than what 12MP comfortably supports
- You shoot in RAW and edit your photos

## How to Get It

1. Open Galaxy Store
2. Search for "Expert RAW"
3. Download it (it's free)
4. Open the app and start shooting

## Why Is This Hidden?

It's a fair criticism. Samsung buried this useful feature in a separate app that most people never discover. They position Expert RAW as a "photography enthusiast" tool, but many argue it should simply be an option in the main camera app. The [S26 Ultra](https://shopsavvy.com/products/samsung-samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-galaxy-s26-ultra-97x94afl) costs ,299+, and hiding features behind obscure app downloads feels unnecessarily complicated.

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*