Samsung has a history of introducing innovative features in its smartphones, only to discontinue them later. However, one such feature—variable aperture—might be making a comeback with the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra.
According to prolific leaker Ice Universe, Samsung is considering adding a variable aperture mechanism to the main camera of the S26 Ultra. For those unfamiliar, it adjusts the light intake based on the environment for optimal quality. As a biproduct, it also lets you control the background blur, while the brightness can be managed by adjusting the ISO. So for the users, it is a good thing to have as it adds some flexibility that helps in certain conditions.
Is Samsung finally prioritizing innovation again?
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ were one of the first smartphones to pack this feature, where the main camera could switch between two different aperture values – f/1.5 and f/2.4. The f/1.5 setting was ideal for low-light conditions, which allows more light into the sensor for brighter and less noisy images. On the other hand, the f/2.4 aperture was better suited for well-lit scenarios, which offers a wider field of focus. The f/2.4 or a similar setting is beneficial when you want to capture a closeup shot of a relatively larger object and you want the entire object to be in focus.
Although this variable aperture mechanism was carried over to the Galaxy S10 series, Samsung removed this feature starting with the Galaxy S20 series.
Later on, Huawei has adopted and improved the technology. The Mate 50 Pro, for instance, can adjust between f/1.4 to f/4.0 with a total of 10-stop range.
Now, rumors suggest that Samsung is planning to reintroduce it with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. But it remains unclear whether it will be a true variable aperture system (with multiple settings) or a dual-aperture setup like the one seen on the Galaxy S9.
In addition to the camera upgrades, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a couple improvements in other areas as well. The device is rumored to include a 50MP sensor for its 3x zoom telephoto camera, which builds on the 50MP telephoto and ultrawide cameras introduced in the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra, respectively.
Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
(Via)
Comments