Samsung may have just put an end to a much-anticipated camera upgrade for the Galaxy S27.

      Samsung appears to have abandoned its plans for a variable aperture in the Galaxy S27 series to manage costs better.

      As reported by the Korean publication ETNews, Samsung has opted not to incorporate a variable aperture camera in the Galaxy S27 lineup. The company had previously been developing the technology with multiple camera module suppliers, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCNEX.

      Samsung has experience with this technology

      The concept of variable aperture isn't unfamiliar to Samsung. The company featured its Dual Aperture camera in the Galaxy S9 back in 2018, allowing the main camera to switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4 based on the lighting conditions. While this technology was used in subsequent flagship Galaxy models, it was phased out of the S series after the Galaxy S10.

      Variable aperture technology involves physically altering the lens opening to manage the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor. A wider aperture lets in more light in dim environments, while a narrower aperture is better for bright conditions and offers a greater depth of field.

      Earlier reports had suggested that Samsung might reintroduce this technology with the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s 200MP primary camera. However, ETNews now indicates that Samsung has decided against this upgrade, citing increased manufacturing costs and thickness resulting from the necessary hardware additions. The company also determined that the practical advantages of this feature for smartphone cameras would be minimal.

      Apple might gain an edge

      If this information is accurate, Apple could benefit, as the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to feature variable aperture in their main cameras.

      ETNews notes that Apple's intentions were one factor that led Samsung to consider reviving this technology. Rising memory prices likely contributed to Samsung's decision to halt the development of this camera feature to keep its production costs down.

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