TL;DR
After switching from Samsung and Pixel devices to Chinese 'Ultra' phones, the author says telemacro changed how they shoot close-ups. They now consider telemacro a required feature for any Android flagship they’ll buy in 2026.
What happened
The author, who previously used Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, moved to Chinese 'Ultra' handsets that offer stronger camera hardware, faster charging, and larger batteries. While using models such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra and the Vivo X300 Pro, they discovered telemacro — a close-up shooting mode that relies on a telephoto camera and a floating lens rather than the ultrawide sensor typically used for macro shots. That implementation lets photographers capture sharp close-ups from a comfortable distance, avoiding shadows, hand-shake and the awkward proximity required by ultrawide-based macro modes. The author reports that telemacro made macro photography effortless and consistently usable, so much so that they rule out buying a $1,000+ flagship in 2026 that lacks telemacro support. The piece also notes that major brands including Samsung, Google and Apple have so far favored ultrawide-based macro implementations.
Why it matters
- Telemacro changes the practical usability of close-up photography by using a longer focal length and floating lens to reduce the need to be extremely close to subjects.
- Phones that rely on ultrawide sensors for macro shots often produce inconsistent results because of required proximity and hand movement.
- If major Western flagships continue to skip telemacro, buyers seeking reliable macro performance may favor devices from Chinese manufacturers.
- Adoption or absence of telemacro could influence purchasing decisions for high-end phones in 2026.
Key facts
- Author previously used Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones before switching to Chinese 'Ultra' devices a couple of years ago.
- Chinese Ultra phones cited include the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra and the Vivo X300 Pro.
- These Chinese Ultra models reportedly offer stronger camera hardware, faster charging, and larger batteries compared with the phones the author moved from.
- Telemacro differs from standard macro: it uses a telephoto lens and a floating optical element to shoot close-ups from a comfortable distance.
- Ultrawide-based macro modes require getting very close to subjects and are more susceptible to hand movement and shadows.
- The author says telemacro made macro shooting effortless and that they captured many favorite shots with it over two years.
- The article states major brands including Samsung, Google and Apple rely on ultrawide cameras for macro, rather than telemacro.
- According to the piece, the Pixel 10 Pro and its XL sibling reportedly do not include telemacro support.
- Leaks mentioned in the article suggest the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is unlikely to use a telemacro lens for its 5x periscope shooter.
- The author considers telemacro a non-negotiable feature for any $1,000+ flagship they would buy in 2026.
What to watch next
- Whether Samsung, Google or Apple revise camera designs to include telemacro in upcoming flagships (not confirmed in the source).
- Leaked details and official specs for the Galaxy S26 Ultra to see if the periscope shooter will support telemacro, as current leaks suggest it may not.
- Confirmations about the Pixel 10 Pro and XL’s camera setup and whether telemacro will actually be absent as reported.
Quick glossary
- Telemacro: A macro-capable mode that uses a telephoto lens (longer focal length) and often a floating lens element to capture close-up images from a greater distance than ultrawide-based macro.
- Macro (phone photography): A close-up photography mode that lets phones capture small subjects at short distances, often implemented using an ultrawide camera on many smartphones.
- Telephoto lens: A lens with a longer focal length that magnifies distant subjects, useful for portraits, zoom shots, and telemacro close-ups.
- Ultrawide camera: A camera module with a very wide field of view, commonly used for landscape or group shots and sometimes repurposed for macro modes on phones.
- Floating lens: An optical element that can move within the lens assembly to adjust focus and improve close-up performance.
Reader FAQ
What is telemacro and how does it differ from regular macro?
Telemacro uses a telephoto camera and a floating lens to shoot close-ups from a comfortable distance, while regular macro modes on many phones use the ultrawide sensor and require getting very close to the subject.
Which phones mentioned in the article have telemacro?
The author cites the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra and the Vivo X300 Pro as devices they used with telemacro support.
Do Samsung, Google or Apple flagship phones support telemacro?
According to the article, major brands like Samsung, Google and Apple largely rely on ultrawide cameras for macro shots rather than telemacro; the Pixel 10 Pro family is reported to miss telemacro.
Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra include telemacro?
Not confirmed in the source; the article says current leaks indicate the S26 Ultra is unlikely to use a telemacro lens for its 5x periscope shooter.
I won't buy an Android phone in 2026 without this feature Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | vivo By Rajesh Pandey Published 2 minutes ago Rajesh started following the latest…
Sources
- I won't buy an Android phone in 2026 without this feature
- The Best Camera Phones We've Tested for 2026
- Best camera phones for photography in 2026
- Seven Features You Can Expect on 2026 Android Flagships
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