Hey everyone! I had some ideas about how Samsung could meaningfully improve the camera experience on the S27 Ultra (since the S26 Ultra is already locked) and I wanted to share. If thereโs even a small chance this feedback reaches someone on the Samsung hardware team, earlier is better than later.
This proposal focuses on meaningful camera improvements that are physically feasible, cost-aware, and architecturally coherent. The goal is better real-world image quality without unnecessary hardware redundancy or a large MSRP increase.
Proposed Camera Stack for the S27 Ultra
Rear
โข Main: Sony LYT-901 (200MP, around 1/1.12", NEW)
โข Telephoto (5x periscope): Sony IMX854 (50MP, 1/2.5", retained)
โข Telephoto (10x periscope): Sony IMX854 (same sensor as 5x but with 10x optical, NEW)
Front selfie
โข Sony IMX709 (32MP, 1/2.8", 21mm equivalent, autofocus, NEW)
Removed components
โข Dedicated "3x" 10 megapixel telephoto module
โข Laser autofocus module (no longer necessary)
Rationale
โข The LYT-901 provides a larger imaging area than the current GP3 sensor while retaining fast phase-detect autofocus, eliminating the need for a separate laser AF system. Its resolution and pixel binning capability support high-quality intermediate zoom without an additional short telephoto module. It would provide 2 major functions: better lowlight capabilities for the main sensor while still providing 3x zooming via sensor crop.
โข The ultrawide remains unchanged to avoid unnecessary cost and layout disruption. It's still relatively new and it gets the job done well.
โข Dual periscope modules at 5x and 10x provide meaningful optical coverage using sensors that are already known to be mechanically viable within Samsungโs current chassis constraints. Many users, myself included, really like 10x optical zoom on my S23 Ultra, so it would be really useful to have both 5x and 10x optical zoom on my next device.
โข The IMX709 (FRONT camera) brings a larger sensor, autofocus, and wider field of view to the selfie camera while remaining compatible with a hole-punch display. Higher native resolution allows cropped framing without a quality collapse.
โข As an aside, for the Base and Plus S27 models, they should receive the JN3 for their Ultrawide modules, and the IMX709 for their front facing cameras.
Camera Build of Materials Impact (Estimated)
Current setup on the S25/S26 Ultra:
โข About $86-$108
Proposed camera setup for the S27 Ultra:
โข About $127-$162
Net increase:
โข About $41-$54 per unit
MSRP Implications
โข Full cost pass-through: +$40-$55
โข If Samsung absorbs about 50% of the costs: +$20-$27
This is well below the price movement typically associated with "Ultra" generational updates and could be partially or fully offset by scale, marketing value, or margin smoothing elsewhere in the device. As unideal as the MSRP becoming $20-$50 more expensive, I think having an upgraded and more capable camera system would be worth it. Ultra devices are supposed to push boundaries and showcase the best tech available.
Summary
This configuration prioritizes:
โข Fewer but more capable modules
โข Larger sensors where they matter
โข Optical zoom that scales meaningfully
โข An upgraded front camera that can compete
It is not a spec-chasing exercise, but a practical refinement of the camera system that aligns cost, physics, and actual usage. I thought it was worth a share, and with some hope, perhaps someone on the hardware team at Samsung may consider it.
The 12MP sensor on the S25U longer telephoto is rarely useful, especially when used beyond the optical zoom range. Even for distant scenes I often use the S25U 200MP W camera at 1x or perhaps the 50MP short telephoto rarely beyond 1x then crop myself from better quality frames instead of playing with the pretend zoom and the 12MP rear sensor. What you describe would be a reason I would consider upgrading my S25U. Not everyone buys a phone for photography but there's nothing attractive to me in the currently rumoured S26 upgrades and it would take improved cameras, particularly the rear long telephoto, for me to be attracted to upgrade. Perhaps also if sudoku becomes unusable due to inadequate system performance I'd consider an upgrade for better CPUs...
