Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra is still nowhere near launch, but the camera rumours are already getting spicy.
According to a new leak shared by tipster Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Samsung is currently testing a 200MP main camera sensor with variable aperture for its next Ultra flagship. If accurate, this would be a pretty interesting move because Samsung has not used variable aperture tech on its Galaxy flagships since the Galaxy S10 era.
For normal users, variable aperture basically means the camera can physically adjust how much light enters the sensor depending on the scene. In bright outdoor shots, it can tighten the aperture for sharper images. In darker situations, it can open up wider to let in more light. Simple idea, but when tuned properly, it can help a flagship phone handle Malaysia’s very mixed shooting conditions better — harsh afternoon sun, indoor mall lighting, night markets, concerts, mamak sessions, all that.
The leaked sensor is said to remain at 200MP, which fits Samsung’s recent Ultra direction. But megapixels alone are not the whole story anymore. For Malaysian buyers paying flagship money, the real win would be better consistency: less blown-out KL street shots in the afternoon, cleaner low-light photos at events, and stronger video performance for creators shooting Reels, TikToks, or convention content.
There is also another interesting angle here: Apple is reportedly preparing variable aperture cameras for the iPhone 18 Pro series too. So if both Samsung and Apple are moving in this direction, mobile camera battles may be shifting from “who has more megapixels” to “who can control light better”. Honestly, that sounds like a healthier fight.
The leak also follows earlier rumours that the Galaxy S27 Ultra could get a redesigned rear camera area. More surprisingly, recent reports suggest Samsung may move to a triple rear camera setup, possibly removing the 3x telephoto camera that Ultra users have been used to for years.
That part may worry some mobile photography fans. The 3x telephoto lens is useful for portraits, food shots, product photos, and concert zooms — basically a lot of everyday SEA usage. If Samsung really drops it, the company needs to make sure the remaining cameras and software can cover that gap properly. Otherwise, it risks looking like a downgrade on paper, even if the main sensor improves.
The same rumours also mention LOFIC support for the 200MP main camera. That tech is usually associated with improving dynamic range by helping sensors manage bright and dark areas more effectively. Again, very relevant for Southeast Asia, where lighting can be brutal one moment and dim the next.
Of course, this is still early leak territory. The Galaxy S27 Ultra has not been officially announced, Samsung has not confirmed these camera details, and there is no Malaysia pricing yet. So don’t start planning your Shopee cart just yet, bro.
But if this rumour is accurate, the S27 Ultra could be one of Samsung’s more meaningful camera upgrades in years — not just another “bigger number” spec bump. Variable aperture coming back would be a proper enthusiast feature, especially for users who care about real-world shots instead of just spec sheet flexing.
Source: GSMArena