Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra to Drop 3x Telephoto Lens, Embrace Triple Camera and Variable Aperture

Key facts

• Galaxy S27 Ultra expected to launch in 2027.
• Samsung may remove the 10MP 3x telephoto lens.
• New ultra-wide sensor debuting in Galaxy Z Fold8 to be used.
• Variable aperture system has an 80% chance of implementation.
• 5x periscope telephoto will be enhanced for wider zoom range.
• Exynos 2700 chip with SBS architecture may power Galaxy S27 and S27+.
• Ice Universe leaked speculative renders showing a triple-camera island design.

A Bold Camera Restructuring

Samsung is preparing a sweeping redesign of its flagship camera system for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, scheduled for a 2027 release. According to leaks from the reliable tipster Ice Universe, the company is considering eliminating the long-standing 3x telephoto lens, a fixture of the Ultra series for years. The move would reduce the rear camera array from four lenses to three, a departure from the current multi-lens approach. The decision aims to streamline the camera module and allocate resources to upgrade remaining sensors, prioritizing quality over quantity.

Why the 3x Telephoto Is Being Cut

The 10MP 3x telephoto has become the weakest link in the Ultra lineup, especially compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra's 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide, and 50MP 5x telephoto. The main 200MP camera can already achieve high-quality 2x or 3x crops through in-sensor cropping, rendering the dedicated telephoto redundant. Removing the lens also frees up internal space for larger sensors or a bigger battery. This spatial efficiency is critical as Samsung faces a RAM shortage and rising component costs, a situation dubbed "RAMageddon," forcing the company to focus upgrades on essential hardware.

Upgrades to Ultra-Wide and Main Sensors

The Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to feature a new ultra-wide sensor, first introduced in the Galaxy Z Fold8. The main camera will also receive improvements in light capture and detail retention. These enhancements aim to compensate for the loss of the 3x lens, ensuring overall image quality does not suffer. The 5x periscope telephoto will be upgraded to support a wider zoom range and sharper results, bridging the gap left by the removed lens.

Variable Aperture Returns with High Probability

One of the most anticipated features is the return of variable aperture technology, which Samsung last used in the Galaxy S9 series. Leaks indicate an 80% likelihood that the S27 Ultra will incorporate an adjustable aperture system. This would allow the camera to adapt to different lighting conditions, improving portrait bokeh and reducing flare in bright scenes. The feature could significantly enhance low-light performance and creative control.

Design Overhaul and Triple-Camera Island

Ice Universe has also shared speculative renders showing a redesigned camera island, repositioned and modernized. The images suggest a triple-camera layout, reinforcing the rumor of a reduced lens count. While some may view the reduction as a downgrade, industry parallels show that competitors achieve excellent results with three lenses. Samsung appears to bet on superior sensor technology over sheer number of cameras.

Exynos 2700 Chip and SBS Architecture

indicate that Samsung is developing the Exynos 2700 processor, expected to debut in 2027 on the Galaxy S27 and S27+. The chip will feature a new side-by-side (SBS) architecture, placing RAM and SoC adjacent rather than stacked. This design improves data transfer speeds and thermal management by reducing power consumption during communication. The Exynos 2700 is seen as a potential performance leap for the non-Ultra models, though its integration into the S27 Ultra remains unconfirmed.

Outlook: A Strategic Pivot Under Cost Constraints

Samsung's decisions reflect a broader strategy to optimize hardware under the pressure of rising memory costs and supply chain challenges. By cutting a redundant lens and reintroducing variable aperture, the company aims to deliver a more cohesive camera experience. Official details are expected to emerge in 2026, as the release window approaches. For now, the Galaxy S27 Ultra promises to be a pivotal device, testing whether fewer cameras can indeed mean better photography.

The bottom line

• Samsung is likely to remove the 3x telephoto lens from the Galaxy S27 Ultra, reducing the rear camera to three lenses.
• The 200MP main sensor's in-sensor cropping capability makes the dedicated 10MP telephoto redundant.
• Variable aperture technology has an 80% chance of returning, improving low-light and portrait photography.
• The Exynos 2700 chip with SBS architecture will power the Galaxy S27 and S27+, enhancing efficiency and thermal performance.
• Design leaks show a repositioned triple-camera island, signaling a major aesthetic shift.
• Rising component costs and a RAM shortage are driving Samsung to focus on key hardware upgrades.