Jenith
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The Galaxy S27 series could bring major changes to its camera system, and the Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to lead the charge. So, will it include features that fans have been asking for? It appears that at least one long-requested feature could finally arrive: variable aperture.
According to Chinese tipster SmartPikachu, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will feature a triple-camera setup, led by a 200MP sensor (likely ISOCELL HP6) with a variable aperture system. Based on other recent reports, the other two cameras in the setup are expected to be a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.
Variable aperture allows the camera to adjust its aperture (lens opening) based on lighting conditions and the scene.
For example, a narrower aperture is useful in bright conditions or for landscape shots, as it keeps more of the scene in focus and prevents highlights from blowing out. In low-light situations or for portrait photography, a wider aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, which reduces noise, and creates natural background blur.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/galaxy-s9-camera-7.jpg
Galaxy S9's camera with dual-aperture – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
This won't be the first time Samsung used changeable aperture on its phones. The Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S10 series used a dual-aperture system (F1.5 and F2.4). However, the company later dropped it to chase ultra-high-resolution cameras (like 200MP). The Galaxy S27 Ultra could offer more than two aperture settings.
Even Apple is expected to have a variable aperture camera setup in the iPhone 18 Pro series.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Samsung-ISOCELL-GN5.jpg
Samsung ISOCELL GN5 – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
In addition to variable aperture, the 200MP primary camera could use Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor (LOFIC) technology. This technology is designed to improve dynamic range, allowing the camera to capture more detail in both bright and dark areas of a scene.
It works by pairing a capacitor with pixels. When light intake overflows a pixel's full-well capacity, it is collected into the capacitor. Then the image processing pipeline captures data from the pixel as well as the capacitor to create images that have significantly wider dynamic range.
With the combination of LOFIC and variable aperture, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could deliver noticeable improvements in both photography and video recording.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Galaxy-S26-Plus-review-7-1920x1079.jpg
Galaxy S26+ cameras – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
Starting with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung has consistently used a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. However, the company is rumored to be dropping it for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, relying instead on the primary cameraâs crop-based zoom. This could free up internal space for other components, like built-in magnets for Qi2.x wireless charging.
There is no information yet on whether Samsung will upgrade the front-facing camera with the Galaxy S27 series. A larger and higher-resolution sensor would be a welcome improvement. Some rumors claim that it could introduce a 3D face-scanning front-facing camera for improved security.
It would also be interesting to see Samsung adopt a square-format front-facing sensor, similar to Appleâs approach, allowing users to capture both landscape and portrait shots without changing the phoneâs orientation.
Galaxy S27 Ultra could feature a triple-camera setup with variable aperture
According to Chinese tipster SmartPikachu, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will feature a triple-camera setup, led by a 200MP sensor (likely ISOCELL HP6) with a variable aperture system. Based on other recent reports, the other two cameras in the setup are expected to be a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.
How can variable aperture be useful?
Variable aperture allows the camera to adjust its aperture (lens opening) based on lighting conditions and the scene.
For example, a narrower aperture is useful in bright conditions or for landscape shots, as it keeps more of the scene in focus and prevents highlights from blowing out. In low-light situations or for portrait photography, a wider aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, which reduces noise, and creates natural background blur.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/galaxy-s9-camera-7.jpg
Galaxy S9's camera with dual-aperture – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
This won't be the first time Samsung used changeable aperture on its phones. The Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S10 series used a dual-aperture system (F1.5 and F2.4). However, the company later dropped it to chase ultra-high-resolution cameras (like 200MP). The Galaxy S27 Ultra could offer more than two aperture settings.
Even Apple is expected to have a variable aperture camera setup in the iPhone 18 Pro series.
LOFIC camera sensor
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Samsung-ISOCELL-GN5.jpg
Samsung ISOCELL GN5 – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
In addition to variable aperture, the 200MP primary camera could use Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor (LOFIC) technology. This technology is designed to improve dynamic range, allowing the camera to capture more detail in both bright and dark areas of a scene.
It works by pairing a capacitor with pixels. When light intake overflows a pixel's full-well capacity, it is collected into the capacitor. Then the image processing pipeline captures data from the pixel as well as the capacitor to create images that have significantly wider dynamic range.
With the combination of LOFIC and variable aperture, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could deliver noticeable improvements in both photography and video recording.
Switching to a triple-camera setup on Ultra phones
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Galaxy-S26-Plus-review-7-1920x1079.jpg
Galaxy S26+ cameras – Source: Abhijeet Mishra / imeisource
Starting with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung has consistently used a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. However, the company is rumored to be dropping it for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, relying instead on the primary cameraâs crop-based zoom. This could free up internal space for other components, like built-in magnets for Qi2.x wireless charging.
There is no information yet on whether Samsung will upgrade the front-facing camera with the Galaxy S27 series. A larger and higher-resolution sensor would be a welcome improvement. Some rumors claim that it could introduce a 3D face-scanning front-facing camera for improved security.
It would also be interesting to see Samsung adopt a square-format front-facing sensor, similar to Appleâs approach, allowing users to capture both landscape and portrait shots without changing the phoneâs orientation.