Recent leaks have shed new light on the camera lineup Samsung is tentatively planning for its Galaxy S27 series—and the details may disappoint longtime fans. According to multiple sources evaluating sensor hardware across the S27, S27+, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra models, the upgrades are modest, with several key components carried over from previous generations. The most ambitious improvements are reserved for the Pro and Ultra variants.
What stays the same for the base models
The standard Galaxy S27 and S27+ are expected to retain much of the camera setup seen in the current S26 series. These models likely feature a 50MP main sensor—either Sony’s IMX955 or Samsung’s S5KGNG—the same 12MP ultrawide (Sony IMX564), and a 3× optical telephoto (Samsung S5K3K1). The front-facing selfie camera on these base versions is likely to remain at 12MP, using either Samsung’s S5K3LU or Sony’s IMX874 unit.
Upgrades in the Pro and Ultra models
The S27 Pro and Ultra are tipped to share stronger main camera hardware, with a 200MP primary sensor (Samsung S5KHP6). Both are also said to move to 50MP ultrawide lenses—likely either Samsung’s S5KJN3 or Sony’s IMX855. Selfies across these upper-tier phones are projected to improve with a 16MP camera (Samsung S5K2P5).
The biggest difference between Pro and Ultra comes in their telephoto lenses. The Ultra may pack a 50MP 5× optical zoom, using the same kind of high-end sensor as its ultrawide. The Pro, by contrast, appears to get only a 3× telephoto with a 12MP sensor (S5K3LD), falling behind the Ultra’s more premium setup.
Lose some, gain little
Certainly, some rumors point to simplifications: the Ultra is likely losing its second telephoto sensor. Earlier Ultra models had two zoom lenses—typically 3× and 10× or 5×. The new S27 Ultra may revert to just one (5×) telephoto lens plus the main and ultrawide cameras, making it the first Ultra in years with only three rear modules.
While the Pro and Ultra do offer upgraded main, ultrawide, and selfie sensors, the base and Plus models appear to receive little in the way of improvements outside possibly swapping in a different sensor supplier for the main camera. The ultrawide stays at 12MP, and the selfie cam remains at 12MP; the telephoto for those models still seems unchanged.
The timing of all this seems aligned with Samsung’s efforts to balance specs and cost—thanks to supply-chain pressures and rising component prices. Cutting a camera module is one way to preserve margins while still delivering updated hardware where it matters most.
What this matters: Samsung’s strategy appears to reinforce the Ultra as the only model with premium range, especially for zoom performance. The Pro is becoming more of a feature-trading compromise, offering high-resolution cameras but limited reach. Buyers hoping all four models would bring the kind of camera hardware seen in the Zeiss-level flagships of other brands may be let down.
My take: The leaks suggest the Galaxy S27 family won’t dramatically shift the camera game. Samsung is playing it safe—upgrading sensors where possible, trimming edges elsewhere. Whether these changes will be enough to keep up with rivals pushing larger sensors, stronger zooms, and more ambitious optics in every tier remains the central question. Watch for how image processing, pixel binning, and low-light performance land when these phones arrive—optics are only part of the story.
