As smartphone camera technology continues to evolve, Samsung is reportedly preparing to reintroduce variable aperture in its upcoming flagship device, the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
According to a tipster, Samsung and Huawei are testing 200-megapixel main cameras with variable aperture. The feature is expected to appear in the Galaxy S27 Ultra, which is likely to launch early next year. This would mark the return of a technology last seen in the Galaxy S9 series, which allowed switching between two aperture levels.
A variable aperture system enables the camera to adjust how much light enters the lens. It can open wider in low-light conditions for better brightness and close in brighter environments to reduce overexposure. When combined with a 200-megapixel sensor, this could improve image detail, especially in close-up photography.
Other smartphone brands have also explored this feature. Devices such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Honor Magic 6 Pro already include variable aperture cameras. At the same time, reports suggest that Apple may introduce similar technology in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, increasing competition in the premium segment.
For comparison, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features a quad rear camera setup led by a 200-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.4 aperture. It also includes a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at Rs. 1,39,999 in India for the 12GB + 256GB variant. It comes with a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, and offers up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 60W wired and 25W wireless charging support.
If the leaks are accurate, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could focus heavily on camera innovation to stay competitive in the flagship smartphone market.
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