Samsung’s 200MP Variable Zoom Camera Enters Mass Production — But Not for the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung has been reportedly working on a 200-megapixel variable zoom camera. Well, it appears that this new camera has now entered mass production. Which means we are likely to see it on a device or two next year.

It is believed that this camera sensor would be able to change its zoom from 3x to 7x. At least, that is if the GIF posted by Pixel Gamer 4K that leaked this info is correct. That would be a really big upgrade from the pretty pitiful 3x and 5x sensors on the Galaxy S25 Ultra right now.

This sensor is unlikely to come for the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Previous reports on this sensor revealed that Samsung is not building this variable zoom camera for its devices but rather for other smartphone brands, mostly Chinese brands. So it’s most likely not coming to the Galaxy S26 series next year, which at this point are pretty much done and about to enter mass production if they haven’t already.

Keep in mind that a few other Chinese brands have been using 200-megapixel sensors for their zooming capabilities, versus Samsung using it as their main sensor. HONOR, Xiaomi, and soon OPPO, are using 200-megapixel periscope cameras. OPPO is rumored to being it for their upcoming Find X9 which should also use the upcoming Dimensity 9500 chipset.

This is rather unfortunate, because one of Samsung’s big downsides with its own smartphones is the zoom, particularly on its most expensive products – Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 7. And having a variable zoom camera that is 200-megapixel could really make for a huge upgrade for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

If this reporting is true, and the new sensor has entered mass production, we should see Samsung announce this new camera module very soon.