Samsung May Remove 3x Telephoto Lens from Galaxy S27 Ultra
The upcoming flagship is reportedly shifting to a triple-camera system to cut costs and address sensor saturation.
Samsung is reportedly planning to streamline the camera array on the upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra, moving from its signature quad-camera setup to a triple-camera system. This shift would see the removal of the dedicated 10MP 3x telephoto lens, a component that has been a staple of the Ultra line for several generations.
According to reports, the S27 Ultra would retain a high-resolution trio: a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP 5x telephoto shooter, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. The decision to axe the 3x lens is driven by a combination of manufacturing expense pressures and the belief that the 10MP sensor has reached a technical plateau. A supply chain official noted that the image quality of the sensor has reached a "technical saturation point," suggesting that further iterations would yield diminishing returns.
The End of the Quad-Camera Era
Since the launch of the Galaxy S21 Ultra in 2021, Samsung has leaned on a four-lens configuration to maintain its lead in zoom versatility. However, the 10MP 3x telephoto lens has remained largely unchanged for years. As main sensors have evolved—culminating in the current 200MP unit—Samsung has increasingly relied on digital cropping to simulate mid-range zoom. By using a high-resolution crop from the primary sensor, the device can often approximate the results of a 3x lens without requiring additional hardware.
Implications for Versatility
Removing the dedicated 3x hardware creates a potential "zoom gap" for users. While the 200MP main sensor can handle 2x crops and the 50MP lens handles 5x optical zoom, the 3x focal length is widely considered the "sweet spot" for portrait photography and certain macro shots. Without a dedicated lens for this specific range, users may notice a loss in versatility and a slight dip in quality for mid-range shots that previously relied on a dedicated optical path rather than digital interpolation.
What to Watch
While the move toward a triple-camera system appears to be a cost-cutting measure, it signals a broader shift in how smartphone manufacturers view sensor redundancy. The industry is moving toward fewer, higher-quality sensors that can perform multiple roles through software and cropping. Whether Samsung can maintain its "Ultra" branding while reducing the physical lens count remains to be seen, as the company balances manufacturing efficiency against the expectations of power users who prioritize maximum hardware flexibility.