According to a new leak from the tipster Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Samsung is reportedly testing a 200MP main camera with a variable aperture function for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. The leak suggests Samsung is actively developing a 200MP main sensor with variable aperture for its next-generation flagship, and notably, Apple is also rumored to be bringing a variable aperture camera to the iPhone 18 Pro series. It means in the year 2027, we could witness the same technology that we had in 2018 and 2019, but with advanced features.
Galaxy S27 Ultra to Offer Variable Aperture
The rumor mentions that the new feature allows the camera to physically adjust the lens opening depending on lighting conditions, improving results in both bright scenes and low-light environments. Samsung last used variable aperture technology in the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 series. That was back in 2019, after which Samsung quietly dropped the feature to focus on pushing megapixel counts higher. Now, along with Apple and Huawei, Samsung could bring back this feature.
This time, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could offer more than just two aperture settings, unlike the S9 and S10’s dual-aperture system that simply toggled between f/1.5 and f/2.4. A more granular, continuously variable system would be a meaningful step forward.
Includes ISOCELL HP6 and LOFIC Technology
The sensor in question is likely the ISOCELL HP6, as per Smart Pikachu’s report. The adaptive aperture paired with a refined 200MP sensor and LOFIC could finally move the conversation beyond megapixels, delivering better low light, more natural bokeh, and cleaner HDR. LOFIC, or Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor, is designed to improve dynamic range by pairing a capacitor with each pixel. When light intake overflows a pixel’s full-well capacity, it is collected into the capacitor, giving the image processing pipeline significantly wider dynamic range to work with.
Camera Setup Changes
Leaker Ice Universe says the 3x telephoto lens is “simply gone” on the Galaxy S27 Ultra, and puts the probability of variable aperture at around 80%. He adds that the Galaxy S27 Ultra will also get a new generation ultrawide camera and a new front-facing camera. The other two cameras in the setup are expected to be a 50MP ultrawide and a 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Dropping the 3x lens is a notable call, but with the extra space freed up, Samsung is reportedly doubling down on its 5x lens alongside the variable aperture main camera.
Apple Is Also Testing Variable Aperture
This isn’t just a Samsung story. According to reports, Apple is planning to add a variable aperture camera to the iPhone 18 series, most likely the Pro model, and that appears to be at least part of what is driving Samsung to reintroduce the feature after years of absence. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to launch in early 2027.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers one of the best camera setups in the market. It comes with horizontal lock, document scan, 24MP mode, and some exclusive functions. Now with the Galaxy S27 Ultra, Samsung is expected to move it further.
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