An image demonstrating the inkjet tech. | Image by ZDNET
Samsung quietly introduced an inkjet process to slim down a few lens modules on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. For the Galaxy S27 Ultra, the tech will reportedly be employed for all three cameras.
Smartphone camera modules consist of multiple lenses of different shapes stacked together. The more lenses you stack, the more light you can bend for high-resolution shots. However, adding more lenses makes the module thicker and heavier.
Traditionally, phone makers use light-blocking films inside the module to prevent light reflections (flare) and light overlaps (ghosting). Samsung aims to replace the physical film with matte ink. The printing process is used on the edges, holding individual lens elements together.
By doing this, Samsung can reduce the distance between lenses, making the lens modules thinner. This, in turn, will reduce the thickness of the camera module.
How do you feel about thick camera systems?
Freeing up space
On the Galaxy S27 Ultra, Samsung will reportedly apply matte ink to one lens layer in each module, while keeping traditional layers on the rest. The thinner modules will give Samsung more flexibility when designing the camera system.
What it means for picture quality
The use of matte ink has more to do with cutting down on thickness than improving image quality. However, thinner lens modules theoretically allow for other improvements, such as bigger camera sensors or more sophisticated image stabilization systems.
The Galaxy S27 Ultra was previously reported to feature a variable aperture on the main camera, and the freed-up space could allow Samsung to accommodate the mechanical mechanism.
Temper your hopes
For smartphone enthusiasts, this is probably not the year to be hopeful. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is reportedly dropping the 3x camera as a cost-cutting measure. It wouldn't be surprising if the company scrapped plans for a variable aperture as well.
A thinner camera system and a resulting thinner phone would be a welcome change, nonetheless, especially considering that the iPhone 18 Pro Max might be a literal brick.
Here's what else the Galaxy S27 Ultra is reportedly missing out on:
Mint Mobile is now allowing you to get whichever plan you like for either three, six, or 12 months for just $15/mo. If you go for the six-month unlimited service, for instance, you'll now have to pay just $90 upfront instead of $210.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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