Samsung’s flagship cameras have been stuck in a holding pattern. The Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t change that. But the S27 Ultra? That’s where things might actually get interesting.
According to early leaks, Samsung is planning its first meaningful camera hardware refresh in years for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, expected in 2027. The upgrade centers on a new primary sensor—the ISOCELL HP6—which could address the image quality stagnation that’s frustrated even loyal Galaxy users.
The ISOCELL HP6 is a 200MP sensor with a 1/1.3-inch optical format. On paper, that sounds identical to the HP2 sensor currently used in the S25 Ultra. But tipster @UniverseIce claims the HP6 incorporates newer imaging technologies that could deliver tangible improvements in real-world conditions.
Samsung is also reportedly upgrading the ultrawide camera. This matters more than it sounds. The ultrawide lens on Samsung’s flagships has lagged behind the primary shooter for years, falling apart quickly in anything but perfect light.
Here’s where Samsung really needs to step up: the mid-zoom camera. The current 10MP sensor with 3x optical zoom has been functionally identical since 2021. That’s six years by the time the S27 Ultra arrives.
A 50MP or 200MP sensor for the mid-zoom would allow better digital zoom quality between 3x and 5x, where most people actually zoom. Samsung should also consider a larger sensor for the 5x periscope camera and adding 8K 60fps video recording.
Samsung is reportedly testing Metalenz’s Polar ID system for 3D face authentication using the ISOCELL Vizion 931 sensor. This could finally give Samsung a Face ID competitor that works in the dark.
The built-in S Pen might also disappear, freeing up space for better hardware. That’ll anger some users, but usage data likely shows most buyers never touch it.
The S27 Ultra won’t arrive until early 2027, and roadmaps change. But if even half these upgrades materialize, it would represent the first substantial hardware evolution for Samsung’s flagship in years.
