Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra is still a considerable way from an official launch, but early leaks have already begun surfacing with details about what the next-generation flagship could bring to the table in terms of camera hardware. Following a recent report pointing to a redesigned rear camera module, a new leak has now claimed that Samsung is actively testing a new primary camera sensor for the device, one that would represent a notable step forward from its predecessor.
Tipster Smart Pikachu, sharing information on the Chinese social platform Weibo, claimed that Samsung is testing a 200-megapixel main camera with variable aperture capability for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Variable aperture is a feature that allows a camera to physically adjust the size of its lens opening depending on the lighting conditions of a given scene, offering improved performance in both bright outdoor environments and low-light situations by giving the sensor greater control over how much light it takes in. The technology is not new to Samsung, having last appeared in the Galaxy S10 series, but the company moved away from it in subsequent generations. If the current leak proves accurate, the Galaxy S27 Ultra would mark the return of variable aperture to Samsung’s flagship lineup after several years of absence. The 200-megapixel main sensor is also said to support Low Operating Frequency Image Capture technology, commonly referred to as LOFIC, which is designed to improve dynamic range performance particularly in high-contrast shooting scenarios.
Separately, leaks have also suggested that the Galaxy S27 Ultra may shift to a triple rear camera arrangement, which would potentially mean Samsung drops the 3x telephoto lens that has been a consistent part of Ultra model configurations in recent years. Meanwhile, Apple is also rumoured to be preparing variable aperture camera technology for its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series. If both sets of leaks hold true, variable aperture could emerge as a defining hardware feature across the premium smartphone segment in the next major release cycle, with two of the industry’s largest players potentially adopting the capability simultaneously for the first time.
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