Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra may launch with one less camera, blame global memory crisis

Samsung could reportedly remove one of the Galaxy S27 Ultra's rear cameras due to the ongoing memory crisis. The Ultra model may lose its 10MP 3x telephoto camera.

In Short

• Galaxy S27 Ultra could drop its 10MP 3x telephoto camera
• The Ultra model may launch with three rear cameras instead of four
• The reason for this change could be the rising memory cost

The global memory crisis is getting worse, and it is pushing smartphone makers to rethink their strategies, whether by increasing prices or reducing components in their devices. A fresh report suggests Samsung could remove one camera from the upcoming Galaxy S27 series. The Galaxy S27 Ultra, which has traditionally stood out for its more advanced multi-camera setup, could ship with only three back cameras instead of four. And the reason is being linked to the ongoing memory crisis. The company has already started raising smartphone prices, with the Galaxy M47 getting a hike of up to Rs 8,000 in India. More price increases could soon follow across its budget lineup, including models in the Galaxy A and F series.

According to a report by ETNews, Samsung has already shared the camera configuration with its suppliers. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to lose the 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera that has been part of Samsung's Ultra lineup. The 50-megapixel 5x folded telephoto camera, however, will reportedly remain.

Galaxy S27 Ultra could get three rear cameras

If the report is accurate, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will feature a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 50-megapixel 5x telephoto camera. This would make it the first Ultra model in the Galaxy S series to launch with just three rear cameras.

Samsung has used two telephoto cameras on its Ultra phones for years. The setup allowed users to switch between different levels of optical zoom, with the 3x camera handling closer subjects and the higher-zoom lens taking care of distant objects. Removing the 3x camera could therefore mean some users will have fewer options when shooting at intermediate zoom levels.

However, Samsung is not completely dropping the 3x telephoto camera from the Galaxy S27 lineup. According to ETNews, the newly introduced Galaxy S27 Pro could get a 12-megapixel 3x telephoto camera alongside a 200-megapixel main sensor and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera.

The report suggests that the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Plus will continue with a three-camera setup consisting of a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and 10-megapixel telephoto camera.

What led Samsung to make this change?

As memory prices across the industry rise sharply due to strong demand from the AI sector, removing a camera could help Samsung cut costs. This, in turn, could make the manufacturing process less expensive.

It is worth noting that the Ultra is the best-selling model in the Galaxy S series. Last year, according to Counterpoint Research, the S25 Ultra accounted for 46 per cent of global sales. So, to maintain the same level of customer enthusiasm, Samsung may not be willing to increase the price of the S27 Ultra. Instead, the company is likely to bet that most users will not miss the extra camera enough to justify the additional cost.

However, Samsung has not officially confirmed any of this information. It would be best to wait until the company announces the changes. Until then, take these reports with a pinch of salt.

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