A new report from Korea claims Samsung has decided against using a variable aperture main camera on any device in the Galaxy S27 series, setting the lineup apart from the upcoming iPhone 18 family. The decision reportedly stems from the feature's functional benefits not being significant enough for smartphone cameras to justify the extra cost, particularly as manufacturers contend with much higher DRAM prices.
The Galaxy S27 series is expected to launch early next year, and the phones were long tipped to deliver a key camera upgrade that would help them compete with the iPhone 18 series. Rumors and leaks had suggested both the iPhone 18 and Galaxy S27 lines would adopt variable aperture, with Samsung reportedly working alongside partners like Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCnex to make it happen.
ETNews, citing industry sources, now reports that Samsung will drop the feature due to higher manufacturing costs and thicker camera bodies. Those increasing component costs reportedly forced the company to cut the camera feature from the Galaxy S27 lineup, even after earlier reports suggested the Galaxy S27 Ultra could get a 200MP main camera with variable aperture.
This isn't Samsung's first experience with the technology. The company used variable aperture in the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 before removing it from subsequent launches.
Following reports that the iPhone 18 series would bring the feature, Samsung had reportedly wanted to bring it back for the Galaxy S27 series.
If the reports hold, the variable aperture feature could still appear in the iPhone 18 series next month, leaving Samsung's next flagships without the camera upgrade once again.
