Here’s Why Samsung S Ultra Skips Large-Sensor Telephoto Lenses

Samsung builds its S Ultra to be slim, powerful, and user-friendly. It will make the phone thick with a large-sensor telephoto lens, which requires more space and sophisticated components. According to @UniverseIce on X, including this feature could encourage Samsung to design a dedicated, camera-oriented phone with an edgy, unconventional design. But Samsung isn’t quite there yet—its S25 Ultra is selling far more than other Ultra phones.

During a recent U.S. interview, one Samsung executive said, “Most people just use 1x, 2x, and 3x zoom. The 100x zoom is nice to have, but how many times do you actually use it?” It would seem counterintuitive at first, but it is logical. Ultra-telephoto photos, such as those set to 100x zoom, appear hipster but are more showy than substance. They’re not shots you’d want to use daily, and Samsung knows its customers value functional features over flashy features.

It takes a competitor to release a camera phone that severely cannibalizes S25 Ultra’s sales for Samsung to include a large-sensor telephoto lens. Currently, nobody is close. On X, one can see Samsung’s 2025 offerings, particularly the S25 Ultra, dominating with its multi-purpose camera system. Xiaomi or Oppo competitors have clean camera technology, but they do not capture Samsung’s worldwide sales volume.

New leaks suggest what Samsung is actually working on. @UniverseIce hypothesizes the S25 Ultra will employ AI to enhance photo quality at 3x and 5x zoom, great for casual shots. Another X post suggested improved low-light photos without increasing sensor size. These features maintain the phone’s slenderness while enhancing the camera features everyone uses.

Samsung isn’t neglecting photography enthusiasts, either. If and when it does produce a camera-first phone, it’d probably be a model in its own right, not an S Ultra. But without a major competitor prodding them, Samsung is content with its current strategy: an in-between camera that excels for everyday use.

All in all, Samsung’s omitting large-sensor telephoto lenses for keeping the S Ultra functional and fashionable. With robust sales, savvy AI updates, and not a single competitor, the firm is sticking with what works. More leaks to come as Samsung’s camera technology improves!