Samsung’s next Ultra phone could be lining up a serious camera upgrade, and it might give Apple something to worry about.
A new leak suggests the Galaxy S27 Ultra could feature a 200MP main camera with variable aperture. This would revive a feature Samsung hasn’t used since the Galaxy S9. However, this time it would be on a much bigger scale.
According to Weibo leaker Smart Pikachu, Samsung is exploring a hardware upgrade that would let the camera physically adjust how much light enters the lens. That might sound niche, but it could make a real difference in day-to-day shooting, as a wider aperture helps in low lighting and adds natural background blur. In contrast, a narrower one is better for bright conditions and keeping more of the scene in focus.
That kind of flexibility could be especially useful on a high-resolution sensor like Samsung’s 200MP camera, which already pushes smartphone photography to its limits. Additionally, adding variable aperture could give the S27 Ultra more control over exposure, depth, and even close-up shots. These are areas where phone cameras still have to work around physical constraints.
It’s also shaping up to be a direct response to Apple. The iPhone 18 Pro is widely expected to introduce its own variable aperture system on a 48MP main camera. It also brings improvements to its ultrawide, telephoto and selfie cameras. On the software side, Apple is reportedly preparing new AI-powered editing tools in iOS 27, including features like Enhance and Reframe.
That sets up a familiar split. Apple is leaning further into computational photography and AI, while Samsung looks to be doubling down on hardware. This is something the Ultra line has traditionally done well.
Of course, none of this is confirmed yet, and there’s still plenty of time before either phone launches. But if the leak holds up, Samsung bringing variable aperture back alongside a 200MP sensor, could be one of its most meaningful camera upgrades in years.
The only catch? Price. With rising component costs, both Samsung and Apple may end up passing those increases on to buyers. Therefore, next year’s flagship battle may be just as much about value as it is about camera tech.
