Samsung is preparing a real shift for the photography of its future Galaxy S27 Ultra : according to several leaks, the historic 3x telephoto lens would simply disappear from the rear module. A first since the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which introduced this intermediate zoom in 2021.
Instead, the Galaxy S27 Ultra would rely on a brand new 200 Mpx main sensor, defined and bright enough to ensure zooming up to x3 itself. A strategy that would simplify the photo part and reduce costs, but which asks a key question: what will the user really gain (or lose) on a daily basis?
Galaxy S27 Ultra: towards the end of the 3x telephoto lens on Ultra models?
Since the S21 Ultra, the recipe is always the same: a 3x telephoto lens for portraits and urban zoom, supplemented by a 5x or 10x periscopic module for long distances. This duo offers great versatility, at the price of a thick and complex photo block to calibrate.
The leaker Ice Universe asserts on Galaxy S27 Ultra : “This 3x telephoto lens, often derided for its small size and disappointing performance, has finally changed. It has neither become more efficient nor less efficient. It has simply disappeared.” A dig that echoes the criticisms of the 3x telephoto lens of the Galaxy S26 Ultraaccused of producing blurry photos before a software fix came to limit the damage.
200 Mpx sensor of the Galaxy S27 Ultra: what will this new “without 3x” zoom change?
At the heart of the new approachwe would find a main sensor of 200 MP in a format close to the thumb. The larger the surface, the more light the sensor captures, a crucial point for night scenes. With so many pixels, Samsung could crop the image to simulate a x2 or x3 zoom while maintaining a comfortable final definition around 12 Mpx.
Concretely, the main sensor would manage all focal lengths from 1x to 3x, while a 5x periscopic telephoto lens would remain dedicated to distant subjects. Possible advantage: a more homogeneous rendering between 1x and 3x, fewer changes in colorimetry and a lighter photo block. On the other hand, purists fear a loss of relief and compression of perspective that a true 3x lens brings, especially indoors and on tight portraits.
Galaxy S27 Ultra: when will this new photo sensor arrive, and should we wait for it already?
THE Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected for 2027, several generations after the S26 Ultra. Until then, Samsung has plenty of time to modify its photo strategy, and Ice Universe itself points out that the firm can still change its mind. The leaker also does not know if the other models in the S27 series will adopt the same configuration.
As it stands, the disappearance of the 3x looks less like a regression than like a bet: making full use of a large 200 Mpx sensor to simplify the module while maintaining a 5x telephoto lens for long-range zoom. It remains to be seen whether the processing algorithms and low light management will be strong enough to make fans of the Galaxy S Ultra range forget their dedicated 3x telephoto lens.