Samsung’s Ultra series has long been the industry gold standard for zoom versatility, but recent conflicting reports have left tech enthusiasts guessing about the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s camera setup. While early rumors hinted at a massive hardware overhaul, a highly reliable industry insider has just poured cold water on those claims, suggesting a more conservative approach for Samsung’s next flagship.
The Short-Lived 4x Sensor Rumor
Late last month, the rumor mill went into overdrive when tipster phonefuturist claimed Samsung was actively testing a 50-megapixel, 1/1.9-inch sensor with 4x optical zoom for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. This narrative gained further traction earlier this month when another leaker, GalaxyFlash2025, asserted that Samsung would entirely ditch its traditional 3x and 5x dual-telephoto configuration in favor of this single, larger 4x sensor. Had this been true, the new component would have physically dwarfed the 3x and 5x cameras currently found on the S26 Ultra.
A Reliable
However, veteran leaker Ice Universe—known for a highly accurate track record regarding Samsung hardware—has explicitly disputed these claims. According to his latest update, Samsung is not moving to a new 4x system. Instead, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will reportedly retain the exact same 1/2.52-inch 5x telephoto camera used in its predecessor.
While Ice Universe did not specifically address the fate of the 3x camera in this latest leak, both he and the Korean tech outlet ETNews have previously reported that the S27 Ultra will drop the 3x shooter entirely. If this holds true, Samsung will be forced to rely on digital crops from its massive 200-megapixel primary sensor to cover the 2x to 4x zoom range.
The Cost of Losing the 3x Lens
While keeping the tried-and-true 5x camera ensures reliable long-range zoom, eliminating the dedicated 3x shooter without offering a substantial hardware replacement would be a noticeable loss. The 3x focal length is widely considered the sweet spot for portrait photography, and Samsung has successfully utilized this specific lens to offer impressive macro photography capabilities in the past.
If Samsung genuinely intends to simplify its camera module by dropping the dual-telephoto setup, a more ambitious hardware leap might be necessary. Transitioning to a high-resolution 200-megapixel sensor with a native 3x or 4x optical zoom would theoretically offer the perfect focal length for portraits, while still providing the immense pixel density required for high-quality, cropped zoom at longer distances.
