Samsung could simplify the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s camera setup while giving its zoom camera a major hardware upgrade.
A new rumor from a tipster on X claims the Galaxy S27 Ultra will replace the two telephoto cameras found on the Galaxy S26 Ultra with a single 4x optical zoom camera using a larger 1/1.9-inch-type sensor.
The Galaxy S27 Ultra has previously been rumored to feature three rear cameras instead of four, and this new telephoto could explain how Samsung plans to reduce the camera count.
One camera replaces two
The Galaxy S26 Ultra uses two dedicated telephoto cameras:
- 3x telephoto: 1/3.94-inch-type sensor
- 5x telephoto: 1/2.52-inch-type sensor
The Galaxy S27 Ultra’s rumored 4x telephoto would sit between those two zoom levels.
More importantly, its reported 1/1.9-inch sensor would be significantly larger than either of the current telephoto sensors. The larger sensor could improve light capture and potentially deliver better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting.
Fewer cameras, bigger sensor
Instead of using separate cameras for 3x and 5x zoom, Samsung could rely on one larger telephoto camera to cover more zoom ranges.
The leak does not reveal the camera’s resolution or how Samsung will handle zoom beyond the native 4x level.
The Galaxy S27 Ultra’s redesigned rear camera layout has already appeared in leaked renders, but Samsung has yet to confirm its final specifications.
For now, the details remain unofficial. But if the leak is accurate, Samsung’s next Ultra could trade two zoom cameras for one much larger 4x telephoto sensor.