Galaxy S27 Ultra may not get 4x zoom after all — but is that a good thing?
The Galaxy S27 Ultra's zoom capabilities may not get the major upgrade that was suggested earlier.
Galaxy S26 Ultra used for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
The Galaxy S27 Ultra's camera upgrade is taking shape, but it might not be the one that was rumored earlier. While the removal of the 3x zoom camera is almost set in stone months before the phone's launch, there have been conflicting reports about what the tech giant may do with the device's other telephoto sensor.
Now, we may finally have some clarity.
The Galaxy S27 Ultra's 4x telephoto camera rumor might be false
Don't believe that source, which has a long history of spreading false information.
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) September 14, 2026
The Galaxy S27 Ultra will, of course, continue to use a 1/2.52-inch sensor for its 5x periscope telephoto camera.
The recent claim that Samsung will "drop the 5x telephoto and switch to a…
One of the most well-established tipsters sharing Samsung-related insights, Ice Universe, just shared an X post, claiming the 4x telephoto sensor on the Galaxy S27 Ultra was wrong all along.
While it's important to keep in mind that this is still a rumor, I'd say it's far more credible than the information suggesting a 4x telephoto camera may be coming. After all, Ice Universe has a long track record of providing highly accurate leaks months before major Samsung launches.
According to the tipster, Samsung might stick to a 1/2.52-inch sensor for the 5x periscope camera on its upcoming Ultra flagship. There are no additional details as to whether the company will introduce a new sensor with these specifications or stick to the one used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
While it's important to keep in mind that this is still a rumor, I'd say it's far more credible than the information suggesting a 4x telephoto camera may be coming. After all, Ice Universe has a long track record of providing highly accurate leaks months before major Samsung launches.
What should Samsung prioritize most with the Galaxy S27 Ultra's camera?
6 Votes
Is this truly the best way to go?
While flagship phones from Oppo and Vivo may offer more impressive camera hardware on paper, a recent Reddit discussion suggests the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera setup may be more capable than its specs would have you believe.
In theory, if users like the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera performance, Samsung may not have much of an incentive to develop an entirely new 5x camera for its upcoming flagship.
But this is where things are becoming complicated. Not long ago, the company introduced a new ISOCELL HPC 200MP camera, which is likely to end up on Vivo and/or Oppo's next camera phones, not on the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
Clearly, Samsung's camera innovation is there. So why does the company remain so conservative when it comes to the cameras on its own flagship phones?
In theory, if users like the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera performance, Samsung may not have much of an incentive to develop an entirely new 5x camera for its upcoming flagship.
But this is where things are becoming complicated. Not long ago, the company introduced a new ISOCELL HPC 200MP camera, which is likely to end up on Vivo and/or Oppo's next camera phones, not on the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
Clearly, Samsung's camera innovation is there. So why does the company remain so conservative when it comes to the cameras on its own flagship phones?
If the 5x zoom camera stays the same, Samsung may have a problem
Most of you say Samsung needs to be more aggressive. | Image by PhoneArena
Changes are necessary
Truth be told, I'm not entirely certain that the Galaxy S27 Ultra will actually keep the 5x zoom sensor from its predecessor entirely unchanged. However, if it's just one camera that gets an upgrade, would that be enough? I doubt it.
By 2027, the Galaxy S Ultra flagship may end up being even more expensive than the S26 Ultra. To justify that price tag, Samsung will need to deliver meaningful innovations, and I'm not just talking about changes to the camera.
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