Image credit: Ice Universe
Samsung’s Galaxy Ultra series has, for years, held a certain advantage in telephoto photography. This has not been the result of chance or mere branding, but of a deliberate choice: the inclusion of two telephoto lenses, where most competing phones rely on just one. The difference may seem slight, yet it has given these devices a practical edge.
There are now indications that this approach may be changing. According to the leaker known as @UniverseIce, whose past reports have often been borne out, the upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra may do away with its 3x telephoto lens. The claim is not expressed with complete clarity, but it points toward removal rather than replacement.
If matters stand so, the effect is easy to foresee. Provided the remaining telephoto lens is similar to that of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, users would find themselves with only 5x optical zoom. What was once a flexible system would become, in essence, a simpler one.
It must be said, however, that simplicity does not always mean loss. It is possible that Samsung intends to rely on a single, more capable lens, one that can cover a wider range of zoom without the need for a second sensor. Whether this represents an improvement, or merely a concession, remains to be seen.
The Case for Cutting the 3x Lens
It is true that this lens is not the most useful in the Ultra’s array. The 200MP main sensor already delivers a 2x shot of near-optical quality, which leaves the 3x camera in an uncertain position. It does not help that this lens relies on a modest 10MP sensor, while the others on the rear are fitted with 50MP or more. The imbalance is hard to ignore.
Even so, one should treat talk of its removal with caution. Rumours have a way of sounding firm until they are not. Yet this claim does not stand alone. There are reports that the Galaxy S27 Ultra may feature a redesigned camera block, perhaps closer in style to that of the iPhone 17 Pro, in order to allow MagSafe-like charging. If that is so, then a change in the camera layout would not be surprising.
Still, the matter turns on what replaces what is lost. The 3x telephoto may not be the strongest tool in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but it serves a purpose. Remove it without offering something better, and the result would be a step back, plain and simple. A flagship device should not move in that direction.
For now, there is little more than conjecture. Samsung tends to keep its plans close until the last moment. If past patterns hold, the Galaxy S27 series will not appear until early 2027. Until then, the facts remain uncertain, and the question remains open.
Final Words
Ultimately, the Galaxy S27 Ultra rumoured changes are not as revolutionary as they could have been, but rather a cautious reshuffling. The decision to drop the 3x telephoto lens may not be an outrageous one, as few will lament the demise of an average performer, but it does bring us to a simple question: is Samsung slimming down or silently cutting the fat? This could be evolution done right in case the company can substitute it with smarter zoom technology or a more flexible sensor.
Otherwise, it will make a previously versatile camera system a one-trick pony with an extremely costly saddle. At least, it is all speculation, dressed in plausible leaks and a sprinkling of mystery.
