Samsung is reportedly considering a radical redesign of the Galaxy S27 Ultra's camera array. According to prominent leaker Ice Universe, the tech giant's next premium flagship might drop the 3x optical telephoto lens—a staple in previous Galaxy S Ultra generations.

If true, the S27 Ultra would be the first model in the lineup to completely overhaul the dual-zoom camera structure that Samsung has relied on for years.

Historically, the Galaxy S Ultra series has featured two distinct zoom cameras: a 3x telephoto lens dedicated to portraits and mid-range zoom, alongside a 5x or 10x periscope lens for long-range shots. This hardware combination has long been Samsung's secret weapon for smartphone zoom supremacy.

However, whispers suggest Samsung is now confident enough in its massive 200MP primary sensor to handle 3x magnification. By utilizing in-sensor cropping combined with advanced AI processing, the company aims to deliver sharp, high-quality images without the need for a dedicated 3x lens.

Samsung has already successfully implemented a similar approach for 2x zoom on recent Galaxy models. Thanks to high-resolution sensors and refined image processing algorithms, 2x cropped shots now rival true optical zoom quality. With the S27 Ultra, Samsung appears ready to push this capability further to the 3x mark.

Should this plan move forward, the S27 Ultra’s rear camera module will likely house only the 200MP main shooter and the 5x periscope lens. Lower zoom levels would be handled entirely by the primary sensor and computational photography.

This strategy wouldn't just streamline the camera system's complexity; it could also free up valuable internal space. That extra room could pave the way for other significant hardware upgrades, such as a larger battery or a more robust cooling system.

It remains unclear if this shift will apply across the entire Galaxy S27 lineup. Recent rumors indicate Samsung is also exploring a "Pro" variant, which could be introduced to further differentiate the models within its flagship family.

Of course, these are early leaks, and Samsung could easily pivot its strategy before the official launch. Nevertheless, the mere possibility of dropping the 3x lens signals a major shift in how the company envisions the future of premium smartphone photography.