[Update: False alarm] Galaxy S24 Ultra might lack 10x optical zoom camera

Last updated: September 15th, 2023 at 12:13 UTC+02:00

Update: It appears that tipster Ice Universe has deleted his original post in which he claimed the Galaxy S24 Ultra lacks a 10x optical zoom camera. In a subsequent post, he announced that he would come back with “release the information after I figure out the details.” So, it’s best not to believe that claim.

Now that Samsung is done launching all its high-end smartphones for the year, the focus has switched to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which will be the company’s next-generation flagship smartphone. It will bring improved display, design, processor, and software, but it might downgrade one of its cameras while upgrading the other.

Samsung to drop 10x optical zoom camera from Galaxy S24 Ultra?

It is rumored that Samsung might drop one of its telephoto cameras. Reliable leakster Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) claims that the Galaxy S24 Ultra lacks a telephoto camera with a 10x optical zoom lens. The smartphone reportedly features a 200MP ISOCELL HP2X primary camera sensor, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 50MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. It might not feature a 10MP telephoto camera found on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Ultra, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

However, it is a bit hard to believe that Samsung would remove something that has given it an edge over its rivals, Apple, OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi. And if it does, it might use a 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom rather than 3x optical zoom. In any case, this rumor is hard to believe right now, and it would be better to wait for more credible information.

In comparison, most other competing high-end smartphones, including the recently-released iPhone 15 Pro Max, have telephoto cameras with 5x optical zoom. Samsung is the only smartphone brand that is offering telephoto cameras with 10x optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also rumored to feature a 6.8-inch Super AMOLED screen with 2,500 nits peak brightness and a titanium body.