The Galaxy S26 Ultra may bring back variable aperture

Samsung has long been known for incorporating innovative features into its smartphones, but many of these technologies soon disappeared from the market. However, one such feature – variable aperture – may return in the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Samsung has long been known for introducing innovative features to its smartphones, but many of those features soon disappeared from the market.

According to information from well-known insider Ice Universe, Samsung is considering bringing back the variable iris mechanism to the new device’s main camera. This mechanism allows the amount of light entering the camera to be adjusted depending on the surrounding conditions to ensure optimal image quality. In addition to this, the variable aperture provides users with the ability to control background blur, while brightness can be customized through ISO adjustment. This feature thus adds flexibility, which is especially useful in challenging shooting situations.

A Variable Aperture provides users with the ability to control background blur, while brightness can be adjusted through ISO adjustment.

After a few years of absence, Samsung seems to be reemphasizing innovation. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ were among the first smartphones to come with this feature, allowing the main camera to switch between two aperture settings – f/1.5 and f/2.4. The f/1.5 setting was ideal for low-light conditions, allowing more light to pass through to the sensor, resulting in brighter and less noisy photos. While the f/2.4 aperture is much better suited to shooting in well-lit conditions, providing a wider depth of field, which is especially useful when shooting close-ups of subjects.

The variable aperture feature was initially excluded from the Galaxy S10 lineup, however, and completely removed starting with the Galaxy S20. However, Huawei has in turn improved the technology by introducing it in the Mate 50 Pro, which offers an adjustment range from f/1.4 to f/4.0 with ten stops.

Now, according to the latest rumors, Samsung plans to reintroduce this technology in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It remains to be seen whether it will be a full-fledged variable aperture system with multiple settings, or a limited two-value configuration like in the Galaxy S9.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is also expected to get other improvements, including a 50-megapixel sensor for the triple-zoom telephoto camera, borrowed from the 50-megapixel telephoto lens and ultra-wide-angle camera introduced in the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra, respectively.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is also expected to get other improvements, including a 50-megapixel sensor for the triple-zoom telephoto camera, borrowed from the 50-megapixel telephoto lens and ultra-wide-angle camera introduced in the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra, respectively.