The next flagship smartphone from Samsung could present itself to the public with a deeply renewed camera configuration, abandoning the historic dual solution for optical zoom in favor of a single, much more capable module.
Recent rumors indicate indeed that the South Korean company is considering removing from Galaxy S27 Ultra both the 10 MP sensor with 3x zoom, and the 50 MP sensor with 5x zoom, opting for a single telephoto with 4x zoom equipped with a physically larger sensor.
This change, although at first glance it may seem like a concession in terms of versatility, actually promises to significantly raise the quality of the shots, delivering superior performance especially in low-light conditions and reducing reliance on overly aggressive software processing.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra, a new approach to distant photography
The rumor comes from the informant @phonefuturist, who suggests that Samsung is currently testing a 4x zoom telephoto based on a 1/1,9-inch sensor.
For a concrete comparison, the current Galaxy S26 Ultra uses a 200 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide, a 10 MP telephoto with 3x zoom, and a 50 MP periscope sensor with 5x zoom, a large 1/2.5-inch sensor.
Switching to a 1/1.9-inch diagonal would allow the device to capture a significantly higher amount of light. The possible removal of the 10 MP module and the remodulation of the optical zoom could translate into sharper images directly at the hardware level, reducing the visual noise typical of shots taken in the evening or indoors.
This move would bring the Asian device closer to the technical choices adopted by other major players in the sector, narrowing the gaps. The recent Google Pixel 11 Pro XL, for example, features a 1/1.93-inch periscope sensor, demonstrating how the market is moving toward bigger sensors to handle zoom.
Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max relies on a 4x telephoto paired with a smaller sensor, fixed at 1/2.55 inches. There are even more extreme solutions, such as the upcoming Vivo X500 Pro Max, which according to rumors will flaunt a 200 MP telephoto with a monstrous 1/1.4-inch sensor.
The planned update for the Galaxy S27 Ultra therefore represents a necessary transition to maintain the lineup’s high photographic excellence.
Fewer lenses, higher quality
The Ultra family has long been known for its iconic four-camera setup, a trait that now seems close to retirement.
Replacing the 5x lens with a larger 4x one inevitably implies a greater reliance on artificial intelligence to preserve details when pushing digital zoom to extreme distances.
However, the advantage of obtaining base photographs richer in information represents an excellent trade-off.
Still several months remain before the official unveiling, a window to understand how the company will optimize the algorithms to fully exploit this new architecture. In any case, the premises suggest a clear improvement for anyone seeking sharp, clean shots in everyday life.
