Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra reportedly kills 3x telephoto lens in bold camera overhaul

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra could drop the 3× telephoto camera, with tipster Ice Universe claiming a “100 % probability,” though this remains an unverified leak.
• The device may also bring a broader camera overhaul: a next‑gen ultrawide sensor, an upgraded main camera, a refreshed selfie camera, support for a variable aperture, and a wider‑aperture 5× telephoto lens.
• Early reactions suggest the removal of the 3× lens might not spark major backlash, as users appear more focused on improvements to the 5× zoom system and overall camera consistency.

Leak Details

A fresh round of speculation comes from well‑known tipster Ice Universe, who shared details on Weibo and X about the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra.

According to the tipster, Samsung could be preparing to eliminate the 3× telephoto camera entirely—a lens that has long been criticized for its relatively small sensor and inconsistent usefulness. Ice Universe even claims there is a “100 % probability” of this change, though it is still an unverified leak.

Community Reaction

If the move sounds bold, early responses on X seem surprisingly indifferent, if not outright supportive. Some users describe the 3× lens as the “middle child” of the camera system, while others call its potential removal overdue. If this sentiment holds, Samsung may not face much backlash if it decides to retire the sensor.

Potential Camera Overhaul

Beyond the 3× lens, the leak hints at several upgrades:

• Next‑generation ultrawide sensor – possibly debuting first on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
• Revamped front‑facing camera.
• Upgraded main sensor with an “80 % probability” of adopting a variable aperture, offering more flexibility across lighting conditions.
• Wider‑aperture 5× telephoto lens – also assigned a high likelihood.

The potential 5× upgrade aligns with user preferences. Many point out that if Samsung removes a zoom option, it should double down on the one people actually rely on, making the overall zoom experience feel more cohesive.

Conclusion

While the information is still early and tipsters do not always get everything right this far out, the Galaxy S27 Ultra appears to be shaping up as a camera‑focused upgrade. Whether this translates to refinement or reinvention will become clear as the launch approaches.