Samsung is reportedly testing a major change to the S27 Ultra zoom system: a single 4x “super telephoto” camera with a much larger 1/1.9-inch sensor. This could replace not only the rumored-to-be-removed 3x telephoto, but potentially the existing 5x periscope as well.
The new 4x sensor is reportedly 50MP in some reports and substantially larger than the current 5x telephoto’s roughly 1/2.52-inch sensor. The idea would be fewer dedicated zoom cameras but a significantly larger sensor capable of gathering more light, potentially improving low-light zoom, portraits, detail and noise.
This also fits the recently leaked CAD design surprisingly well: those renders appear to provide space for three rear cameras total, supporting the possibility of a 200MP main + ultrawide + single high-quality telephoto architecture.
Important: this configuration is not finalized. The originating leak says Samsung is testing the 4x solution and comparing its real-world benefit and cost against retaining the existing 5x design. Reports claim multiple S27 Ultra prototypes are still being evaluated.
There is no new official confirmation from Samsung, and I found no meaningful new Ice Universe disclosure today that supersedes his recent design/battery information. So I would currently label the 4x super-telephoto as a notable new leak, but medium confidence rather than a near-final specification.