Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Camera: Is Dropping the 3x Zoom a Mistake?

Recent rumors suggest that Samsung's next flagship, the Galaxy S27 Ultra, may abandon its long-standing quad-camera setup by removing the 3x telephoto lens. Instead, the company is reportedly focusing on a triple-camera system with a revamped main sensor featuring variable aperture and a powerful 200MP 5x periscope zoom. While this sounds like a logical consolidation, many photography enthusiasts—including this writer—are worried about losing a versatile zoom range. Here’s a closer look at the potential changes and what they mean for mobile photographers.

1. What is the rumored camera change for the Galaxy S27 Ultra?

According to a new report, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will shift from a quad-camera to a triple-camera setup by omitting the 3x optical zoom lens. This means the device would rely on a primary wide camera, an ultrawide, and a single telephoto lens—likely a 5x periscope zoom. To compensate, Samsung is said to integrate variable aperture technology into the main sensor for better low-light performance and depth control. The 5x lens itself will reportedly get a massive upgrade to a 200MP sensor, enabling high-resolution distant shots. While streamlining the camera array saves internal space, it radically changes the shooting flexibility that Ultra users have come to expect.

2. Why might Samsung replace the 3x zoom camera?

The primary reason, according to leaks, is to optimize the camera system after years of criticism. Critics and users have often found Samsung's 3x telephoto lens lackluster—producing noisy images in low light and offering mediocre detail compared to competitors. By removing this weaker link, Samsung can allocate more resources to the 5x periscope zoom, which already delivers superior reach. Additionally, the extra space freed up by dropping one lens allows for a larger main sensor with variable aperture—a feature that could drastically improve exposure control. In short, Samsung appears to be prioritizing quality over quantity, betting that a powerful 5x zoom paired with a versatile main camera will satisfy most shooting scenarios.

3. What upgrades are expected for the main camera and 5x lens?

For the main camera, Samsung is reportedly developing a variable aperture mechanism similar to what was seen on older Galaxy flagships like the S9. This would allow the lens to physically adjust between f/1.5 and f/2.4, giving users better control over depth of field and low-light capture. Meanwhile, the 5x periscope telephoto is getting a significant sensor upgrade to a staggering 200MP resolution. That’s the same pixel count as the main sensor in the current Galaxy S Ultra models, but applied to a zoom lens—potentially enabling extremely detailed shots at 5x and even higher digital zoom levels. Together, these changes could make the two-lens zoom system far more capable than before, but only if Samsung’s image processing can keep up with the massive sensor data.

4. How would dropping the 3x camera affect portrait photography?

Portrait photography often benefits from a moderate telephoto lens like 3x, which provides a natural perspective and flattering compression for faces. Without it, Samsung would have to rely on the wider main camera or jump straight to a very tight 5x zoom. A 5x lens may be too long for standard portraits, forcing users to stand farther away and possibly cropping out context. Some camera apps use software tricks to simulate intermediate zoom levels, but they rarely match the optical quality of a dedicated lens. However, the variable aperture main camera could partially compensate by creating a shallow depth-of-field effect using a wider aperture, though it won’t replicate the specific focal length of a 3x lens. Portrait lovers may need to adjust their shooting style or depend on digital zoom and post-processing.

5. What are the concerns for photographers regarding this change?

Many photographers—including this writer—are uneasy about dropping the 3x camera because it hits a sweet spot between wide and telephoto. Recent advances in 3x lenses from competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro have made this focal length incredibly useful for daily shots, from street photography to group portraits. The Galaxy S27 Ultra's rumored removal of that lens means losing a versatile framing tool that can’t be perfectly replicated by a 5x zoom. Low-light performance at the 3x equivalent would also suffer if it’s done entirely via digital crop from the main sensor. While the upgraded 5x lens and variable aperture are exciting, the gap between 1x and 5x could feel empty for those who rely on a mid-range zoom for composition and spontaneity.

6. Could the Galaxy S27 Ultra still be a good camera phone without the 3x lens?

Absolutely—if Samsung executes the upgrades well. A variable aperture primary camera can offer more creative control and better low-light shots, while a 200MP 5x periscope zoom could deliver stunning detail at longer distances. For many users, the 3x range is easily covered by cropping from the main sensor, especially with higher resolution sensors (the rumored 200MP main provides plenty of room for lossless 2x and 3x crops). Samsung might also enhance its computational photography to bridge the gap, using multi-frame processing to improve digital zoom quality. However, for purists who value optical quality at every focal length, the missing dedicated 3x lens remains a deal-breaker. Ultimately, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could appeal to a wider audience, but it may disappoint photographers who prize a complete focal length toolkit.