According to a recent report from 9to5Google, Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra might come with one less telephoto camera than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This change suggests that the company is looking to cut down on hardware to manage escalating production costs.
What’s Reportedly Changing
The Galaxy S26 Ultra includes two telephoto lenses: a 3x optical zoom and a 5x optical zoom. Telephoto lenses are designed to magnify distant subjects, much like binoculars do. Early reports from the supply chain indicate that the S27 Ultra may eliminate one of these telephoto cameras entirely.
This would represent a significant reduction for Samsung’s flagship phone line. The dual-telephoto setup has been a major selling point for buyers who value flexibility, whether they’re capturing a close-up portrait at 3x or zooming in on a stadium scoreboard at 5x. Losing one option would mean users have to crop digitally, which often results in lower-quality images when the remaining telephoto lens doesn’t reach far enough.
The Cost-Cutting Angle
Manufacturing multiple telephoto camera modules can be costly. Each lens system needs precisely ground glass elements, autofocus motors, and optical image stabilization hardware. By removing one module, Samsung can significantly lower the bill of materials for each device.
Samsung isn’t the only company making these kinds of trade-offs. Phone manufacturers often juggle feature sets against manufacturing costs, especially as component prices fluctuate year by year. The big question is whether Samsung will lower the price of the S27 Ultra to reflect the reduced hardware, or keep it close to the S26 Ultra’s starting price of $1,299.
A Potential Silver Lining
In a separate report, Android Authority presents a more optimistic view. They suggest that Samsung might be implementing a new manufacturing technique that creates slimmer camera modules. These modules house the lens and sensor together, and thinner designs could help reduce the camera bump on the back of the phone, a frequent complaint among Ultra users.
This approach may also enhance image quality by minimizing optical distortion within the module. So, while the phone might lose a camera, the remaining one could potentially outperform previous models.
| Detail | Galaxy S26 Ultra | Galaxy S27 Ultra (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| Telephoto cameras | 2 (3x and 5x) | 1 (zoom level unconfirmed) |
| Starting price | $1,299 | Not announced |
| Camera module design | Standard thickness | Potentially slimmer |
| Expected announcement | January 2026 | Early 2027 (expected) |
What This Means
If you often take photos at various distances, this change is important. Currently, S26 Ultra owners can easily switch between the 3x zoom for portraits and the 5x for distant shots. Losing one of these options means you’d either have to crop from a wider shot, resulting in lower quality, or rely more on AI-enhanced zoom (Samsung’s Space Zoom), which uses software to fill in details. Neither option is as effective as having a dedicated optical lens.
For casual photographers who mostly use standard wide-angle shots, the impact might be minimal. However, for power users and enthusiasts who chose the Ultra for its camera versatility, this is a change to keep an eye on before making any upgrades.
Samsung’s AI camera features have improved quite a bit in recent generations. The company may be banking on software to make up for the missing hardware, but we won’t know how effective this is until reviewers get their hands on the phone.
Community Reactions
“This is insane. They’re charging $1,300+ and removing cameras? The whole reason I buy Ultra is the zoom flexibility. If I wanted one telephoto, I’d buy the regular S27+.”
“Honestly, if the camera bump gets smaller, I’m okay with the tradeoff. That thing is sharp enough to open letters right now.”
What To Watch
- Early 2027: Samsung usually announces its Galaxy S Ultra lineup in January or February. That’s when we’ll get confirmed specs and clarity on the rumored camera changes.
- Pricing announcement: Keep an eye out for whether Samsung adjusts the S27 Ultra’s price to match the reduced hardware or maintains the current pricing.
- Competing moves: Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro will hit the market before the S27 launch, giving consumers a chance to compare camera specs and zoom capabilities directly.
- Further supply chain leaks: As manufacturing ramps up closer to launch, expect component suppliers to leak more detailed specs. We’ll likely get clearer info on which telephoto focal length Samsung decides to keep.
Sources: 9to5Google: Galaxy S27 Ultra reportedly ditches a telephoto camera | Android Authority: Galaxy S27 Ultra may get a slimmer camera
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
