Samsung reportedly abandons plans for variable aperture cameras across the Galaxy S27 series over cost concerns.
Samsung has reportedly decided against introducing a variable aperture main camera on any model in its upcoming Galaxy S27 series, despite earlier reports suggesting the Galaxy S27 Ultra could receive the technology.
In May, reports indicated that the Galaxy S27 Ultra could feature a 200MP primary camera with a variable aperture. The move was seen as potentially influenced by reports that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could also adopt variable aperture technology.
However, a new report from South Korea claims Samsung has ultimately decided not to use a variable aperture main camera across the Galaxy S27 lineup.
Cost concerns behind Samsung’s decision
The reported decision is linked primarily to higher manufacturing costs and the additional space required for a variable aperture mechanism.
According to the report, Samsung concluded that the practical benefits offered by variable aperture technology would not be significant enough to justify the additional expense in smartphone cameras.
The technology would also reportedly result in thicker camera bumps, potentially affecting the design of the Galaxy S27 series.
Samsung is already facing rising costs across the smartphone supply chain, with higher DRAM prices adding further pressure on manufacturers. The company therefore appears to have decided that variable aperture technology is not a priority for its next flagship generation.
Samsung previously used variable aperture cameras
The decision marks a return to Samsung’s earlier approach after the company experimented with variable aperture technology several years ago.
Samsung introduced the feature with the Galaxy S9 in 2018 and continued it with the Galaxy S10 in 2019. The technology allowed the camera to switch between different aperture settings depending on lighting conditions.
However, Samsung eventually abandoned the feature in subsequent flagship generations.
The latest report suggests that the company will once again avoid variable aperture technology with the Galaxy S27 series, even as rival smartphone makers are reportedly exploring the feature for their upcoming premium devices.