Galaxy S27 Ultra zoom: New leak denies camera upgrade

If you were counting on a bigger zoom sensor in next year's Galaxy flagship, a fresh leak just pumped the brakes. Long-time tipster Ice Universe says the Galaxy S27 Ultra will stick with the same 50MP 5x telephoto camera Samsung has used since the S24 Ultra.

Two separate leakers, phonefuturist and GalaxyFlash2025, recently claimed Samsung was testing a larger 50MP 4x sensor for the S27 Ultra. GalaxyFlash2025 went further, suggesting the 4x unit would replace both the 3x and 5x cameras outright.

Ice Universe now contradicts that timeline, pointing to the familiar 1/2.52-inch 5x sensor instead.

The proposed 4x sensor, at 1/1.9-inch, would have been notably larger than either of the S26 Ultra's current telephoto units.

A jump like that usually signals better low-light zoom performance and less digital noise at longer focal lengths. Ice Universe's account leaves little room for that upgrade this generation.

This time, Ice Universe remained silent regarding the 3x camera, yet previously the leaker and Korean publication ETNews have suggested the total elimination of it. The absence of this sensor means Samsung will have to use digital crops of the 200 MP main sensor to take photos at 2x to 4x zoom levels, but such a solution cannot rival a dedicated lens.

However, the 3x focal distance has proven itself popular for portraits and macro photography in an understated way, so the elimination of it is going to be a serious loss for users.

Instead of removing the 3x camera, Samsung might decide to install a 200 MP sensor at 3x or 4x.