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Samsung reportedly cancels variable-aperture camera for Galaxy S27 due to cost and size
Key points
- Samsung will not reintroduce variable-aperture cameras in the Galaxy S27 series.
- Higher manufacturing costs and thicker camera modules were cited as reasons.
- Samsung previously included variable-aperture in the Galaxy S9+.
- The Galaxy S27 is expected to launch early next year.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will adopt a camera bar design.
- The camera bar design was previously considered for the canceled Galaxy S26 Edge.
- The new design might only come to the Ultra model.
- Ice Universe shared images of both a new design and one unchanged from the Galaxy S26 series.
- Sonny Dickson says the design will come in two different sizes.
- The new design has two camera lenses on the left side and a pill for a third lens and flash.
- The Ultra will drop its secondary telephoto lens this year.
- The camera plateau extends to both sides, similar to the iPhone 17 series.
- The Galaxy S27 series will come in black, white, blue, purple, and pink colors.
- The Galaxy S27 Ultra is rumored to have a $200 price hike.
- The Galaxy S27 Ultra's starting cost is rumored to be $1,499.
- CAD-based renders of the Galaxy S27 Ultra were posted by @OnLeaks and Android Headlines.
- The Galaxy S27 Ultra dimensions are 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm.
- The camera module bumps out to 12.53mm.
- The S Pen remains in place on the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
- The Galaxy S27 will have a 6.3-inch display.
- The Galaxy S27 will have nearly identical dimensions and design to the Galaxy S26.
- Galaxy S27 Pro will feature the same design as the S27 Ultra.
- Galaxy S27 Pro measures 154.06 x 73.77 x 7.95mm.
- Galaxy S27 Pro will have a 6.6-inch display.
- Samsung will include Privacy Display technology in the Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra models.
- Privacy Display is internally known as Flex Magic Panel.
- Privacy Display was previously introduced on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- Privacy Display allows obscuring parts or the entire screen from off-angle viewing.
- One UI on the Galaxy S26 Ultra allows hiding notifications and sensitive information.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra battery rated at 5,534 mAh.
- Galaxy S27 Pro battery rated at 5,087 mAh.
- Galaxy S27 series will use silicon-carbon battery technology.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra and Pro will have 60W wired charging.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will not include a 10MP 3x optical zoom lens.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will have a wide 1x lens setup and a 5x optical zoom unit.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will have three rear cameras, down from four on the S26 Ultra.
- The 5x optical zoom unit on the S27 Ultra is expected to be 50MP.
- Galaxy S27 series base price may increase by around $100.
- The cost for storage upgrades on the Galaxy S27 series may be steeper.
- Lanzuk on Naver shared information about the pricing changes.
Variable-Aperture Camera Plans Dropped
Samsung has reportedly abandoned plans to reintroduce variable-aperture camera technology in its upcoming Galaxy S27 series. This decision contradicts earlier rumors that suggested the feature might return, particularly for the Galaxy S27 Ultra model.
Previous Implementation and Rationale
Samsung previously featured a variable-aperture camera in the Galaxy S9+ in 2018. This technology allowed the camera hardware to physically adjust the amount of light entering the sensor, offering more flexible shooting capabilities. The company was reportedly considering its reintroduction in response to Apple's potential use of similar hardware in future iPhone models.
Cost and Design Constraints
According to ETNews, the primary reasons for Samsung's decision are the increased manufacturing costs associated with variable-aperture cameras and the resulting thicker camera modules. These factors were deemed significant enough to outweigh the potential benefits, especially given the likely limited impact on the final image output and the current economic climate affecting camera component costs.
Upcoming Galaxy S27 Series
The Galaxy S27 series is anticipated to launch early next year. Beyond the variable-aperture camera decision, there are also indications that the Ultra model might feature one less telephoto camera. These changes suggest a focus on managing costs and design constraints for the next generation of Samsung smartphones.
Updates
- Galaxy S27 series base price may increase by around $100.
- The cost for storage upgrades on the Galaxy S27 series may be steeper.
- Lanzuk on Naver shared information about the pricing changes.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will not include a 10MP 3x optical zoom lens.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will have a wide 1x lens setup and a 5x optical zoom unit.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will have three rear cameras, down from four on the S26 Ultra.
- The 5x optical zoom unit on the S27 Ultra is expected to be 50MP.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra battery rated at 5,534 mAh.
- Galaxy S27 Pro battery rated at 5,087 mAh.
- Galaxy S27 series will use silicon-carbon battery technology.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra and Pro will have 60W wired charging.
- Samsung will include Privacy Display technology in the Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra models.
- Privacy Display is internally known as Flex Magic Panel.
- Privacy Display was previously introduced on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- Privacy Display allows obscuring parts or the entire screen from off-angle viewing.
- One UI on the Galaxy S26 Ultra allows hiding notifications and sensitive information.
- Galaxy S27 Pro will feature the same design as the S27 Ultra.
- Galaxy S27 Pro measures 154.06 x 73.77 x 7.95mm.
- Galaxy S27 Pro will have a 6.6-inch display.
- The Galaxy S27 will have a 6.3-inch display.
- The Galaxy S27 will have nearly identical dimensions and design to the Galaxy S26.
- The Galaxy S27 Ultra is rumored to have a $200 price hike.
- The Galaxy S27 Ultra's starting cost is rumored to be $1,499.
- CAD-based renders of the Galaxy S27 Ultra were posted by @OnLeaks and Android Headlines.
- The Galaxy S27 Ultra dimensions are 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm.
- The camera module bumps out to 12.53mm.
- The S Pen remains in place on the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
- Galaxy S27 Ultra will adopt a camera bar design.
- The camera bar design was previously considered for the canceled Galaxy S26 Edge.
- The new design might only come to the Ultra model.
- Ice Universe shared images of both a new design and one unchanged from the Galaxy S26 series.
- Sonny Dickson says the design will come in two different sizes.
- The new design has two camera lenses on the left side and a pill for a third lens and flash.
- The Ultra will drop its secondary telephoto lens this year.
- The camera plateau extends to both sides, similar to the iPhone 17 series.
- The Galaxy S27 series will come in black, white, blue, purple, and pink colors.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Rumors suggest the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S27 series will have a higher base price, potentially increasing by around $100, and a steeper cost for storage upgrades. This pricing adjustment could affect all models in the series, not just the premium variants.
Leaked renders and information for the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra indicate the device will not include a 10MP 3x optical zoom lens. The new camera array is expected to feature a wide 1x lens and a 5x optical zoom unit, reducing the total number of rear cameras from four to three compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Leaked regulatory information indicates that Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra and S27 Pro will feature increased battery capacities, with the Ultra model potentially reaching 5,700 mAh and the Pro model around 5,200 mAh. These upgrades, likely due to silicon-carbon battery technology, represent a notable increase over previous models, though they remain smaller than some competing Android flagships.
Samsung plans to include its Privacy Display technology, internally known as Flex Magic Panel, in both the Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra models. This technology, previously introduced on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, allows users to obscure parts or the entire screen from off-angle viewing, offering integrated privacy features for sensitive information.
Leaked CAD renders indicate the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro will feature the same design as the S27 Ultra but in a smaller form factor. The S27 Pro is expected to measure 154.06 x 73.77 x 7.95mm, making it considerably smaller than the S27 Ultra and similar in size to the Pixel 11 Pro.
Leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy S27 indicate its design will be nearly identical to the Galaxy S26, maintaining a 6.3-inch display. This contrasts with the Galaxy S27 Ultra, which is expected to feature a new, wider camera design.
CAD-based renders of the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra reveal a significant redesign, including a camera plateau similar to the iPhone 16 series and slightly larger dimensions. The device is also rumored to have a $200 price hike, bringing its starting cost to $1,499.
Leaks suggest the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra will adopt a camera bar design previously considered for a canceled model. This design change would affect the phone's aesthetic and potentially its camera array, impacting future Samsung smartphone aesthetics.
Samsung has reportedly decided against reintroducing variable-aperture cameras in its upcoming Galaxy S27 series, despite earlier rumors. The decision was influenced by higher manufacturing costs and the increased thickness required for the camera module.