The Galaxy S27's main camera could have a very un-Samsung upgrade

Following the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, attention is already turning to Samsung's next flagship phones. A new leak suggests the Galaxy S27 and S27+ will reportedly use a new Sony main sensor for their cameras, a departure from the ISOCELL sensors Samsung has relied on for years.

According to a report from Galaxy Club, the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27+ are being tested with a 50MP Sony sensor for their primary rear camera. The last time Samsung used a Sony sensor for the main camera on its S-series was with the Galaxy S21 and S21+ in 2021, which used the 12MP Sony IMX555 before Samsung switched entirely to in-house ISOCELL sensors for all primary S-series cameras.

Alongside the new main sensor, the Galaxy S27 and S27+ are said to be keeping the same 12MP ultra-wide camera found on the Galaxy S26 and S26+, meaning any upgrade this cycle would be limited to the primary shooter. There is no word yet on whether the telephoto camera will see any changes, and Samsung has not commented on any of these details.

Samsung makes its own image sensors and has generally preferred to use them across its phones, so testing a Sony sensor this early in development does not guarantee it will ship in the final product. Even so, it suggests Samsung is at least considering external sensor options for its main flagship camera again, something it has not done in years.

Sony has been pushing further into high-end mobile imaging, including its recently unveiled 200MP LYT-901 sensor aimed at the ultra-premium end of the market. Samsung reportedly explored using that same sensor for the Galaxy S27 Ultra before dropping the idea over cost concerns, opting instead to stick with an in-house ISOCELL sensor.

As with any leak this far ahead of launch, these details are not final and could still change before the Galaxy S27 series is expected to arrive in early 2027.