Full Breakdown
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra to Lose 3× Telephoto Lens in Camera Redesign
8/4/2026, 12:11:00 PM
Core Change to the Ultra Flagship
A new leak indicates that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra will ship with a three-camera rear array instead of the four-camera setup used on previous “Ultra” models. The 10 MP 3× telephoto sensor that has been a staple of the Ultra line is slated to be removed, leaving a 200 MP main sensor, a 50 MP ultrawide lens, and a 50 MP 5× telephoto lens. The 5× unit will be the only telephoto option on the Ultra model.
Background: Evolution of Ultra-Series Zoom Hardware
Since the first Ultra devices, Samsung has paired a modest 3× lens with a longer-reach 10× lens, offering two distinct optical zoom levels. Over successive generations the 10× lens was replaced by a 5× unit, while the 3× lens remained. The reported removal of the 3× shooter marks the first time an Ultra phone will lack a dedicated short-range telephoto lens.
New Camera Configuration and Specs
- Galaxy S27 Ultra: 200 MP primary, 50 MP ultrawide, 50 MP 5× telephoto (no 3× lens).
- Galaxy S27 Pro: retains the 200 MP main and 50 MP ultrawide sensors but adds a 12 MP 3× telephoto lens and omits the 5× unit.
- Entry-level S27 and S27 Plus: keep the 10 MP 3× telephoto module, paired with a 50 MP main and 12 MP ultrawide sensor.
These details come from ETNews reporting and are echoed by Android Police’s coverage of the same leak.
Rationale and Expected Impact
Analysts cited in the Android Police report suggest the change serves two purposes: freeing internal space and lowering the bill of materials. Samsung’s mobile division recently posted its first quarterly loss, a result attributed to soaring DRAM and NAND prices. By eliminating the smaller 10 MP telephoto chip, Samsung aims to protect margins amid the ongoing memory-price pressure. The redesign also aligns the Ultra’s zoom hardware with the company’s “Ultra Close” branding, concentrating higher-zoom capability in a single lens.
Outlook for the 2027 Release
The revised camera layout is expected to appear in Samsung’s flagship lineup slated for launch next year, with the Galaxy S27 Pro positioned as a new, long-delayed variant. No official comment from Samsung has been released, and the specifications remain based on the reported leak.
