The Galaxy S26 Ultra will bring back the camera feature Samsung killed in 2018. Here's why it matters more now than it did then.
In 2015, Samsung did something no other smartphone maker had done: they added physical aperture blades to the Galaxy S9's camera.
It could switch between f/1.5 (wide open for low light) and f/2.4 (stopped down for sharpness). Mechanical, not digital. Real glass and metal, not software trickery.
By 2018, it was gone. Samsung quietly removed it from the Galaxy S10.
Now, 8 years later, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will reportedly bring variable aperture back — with an even wider range: f/2.0 to f/4.0.
What changed? And why should you care?
What Variable Aperture Actually Does (And Why Samsung Killed It)
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Mechanical complexity
Moving parts = potential failure. Dust, moisture, and repeated use could jam the blades.
Thickness
Variable aperture added 0.3mm to camera bump height.
Cost
Manufacturing precision mechanics at smartphone scale was expensive.
AI improved
Computational photography (Portrait Mode, Night Mode) got good enough to fake it.
Most users didn't notice
Only photography enthusiasts cared.
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Why Variable Aperture Matters in 2026 (When It Didn't in 2018)
1. Computational photography hit its limits
AI-powered Portrait Mode works. But it fails at: • Complex edges: Hair strands, glasses frames, chain-link fences • Reflections: Mirrors, water, metallic surfaces • Moving subjects: Kids, pets, sports • Night scenes: Multiple light sources confuse the algorithm
Software can blur a background. But it can't replicate true optical bokeh — the way out-of-focus light sources turn into smooth circles.
Variable aperture creates that optically. No AI guesswork.
2. Pro creators demand real camera control
In 2018, most smartphone users were casual photographers. Instagram filters mattered more than aperture.
In 2026, the same people buying €1,500 phones are: • Content creators (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) • Small business owners (product photography) • Prosumers (enthusiasts who used to carry DSLRs)
They want manual control. Variable aperture gives them that.
3. Manufacturing improved
In 2018, variable aperture mechanisms were bulky, expensive, and prone to failure.
By 2026: • Micro-actuators are thinner and more reliable • Dust/water sealing improved (IP68 despite moving parts) • Manufacturing yields increased (lower cost per unit) • Long-term durability proven (200,000+ actuation cycles)
Samsung can now build it thinner, cheaper, and more reliably.
4. Apple might do it (and Samsung wants to be first)
Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Pro (2025) will have variable aperture.
Samsung knows: if Apple launches it first, it becomes "Apple's innovation." By bringing it back in the S26 Ultra, Samsung reclaims the narrative: "We had this in 2015."
It's not just about the feature. It's about positioning.
What f/2.0 to f/4.0 Range Actually Gives You
The Galaxy S9's variable aperture had two settings: f/1.5 and f/2.4.
The S26 Ultra's will reportedly have continuous adjustment from f/2.0 to f/4.0.
That's a massive difference.
Use cases for different apertures:
f/2.0 (wide open): • Portraits with blurred backgrounds • Low-light photography (concerts, restaurants, night streets) • Faster shutter speeds (freeze motion) • Subject isolation (one person in focus, rest blurred)
f/2.8 (middle ground): • Street photography (some background detail, some blur) • Product photography (main subject sharp, context slightly soft) • Balance between light and depth of field
f/4.0 (stopped down): • Landscapes (everything from foreground to horizon in focus) • Group photos (everyone sharp, front to back) • Macro photography (more of the subject in focus) • Architecture (sharp edges, minimal distortion)
The key: You can choose.
Current smartphones lock you at f/1.8-2.0. You get what the AI decides.
With variable aperture, you control the look. That's the difference between a camera and a camera phone.
Real-world example:
You're photographing your kid's birthday party: • f/2.0: Isolate the birthday kid blowing out candles (background blurred) • f/4.0: Get the whole group in focus for the group shot
One phone. Two optical behaviors. No software trickery.
The Trade-Offs (And Who Should Care)
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+0.3mm to camera bump (minimal, but measurable)
+2g (unnoticeable)
Estimated +€15-20 manufacturing cost
More moving parts = potential failure point
YouTube, TikTok, Instagram pros who need cinematic depth of field
People who know what aperture means
If you just point and shoot, AI Portrait Mode is fine
This will be exclusive to S26 Ultra (€1,399+)
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Key Takeaways
- Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra will bring back variable aperture after 8 years (f/2.0 to f/4.0 range)
- Original S9 feature was removed due to cost, complexity, and AI improvements making it seem unnecessary
- Computational photography can't replicate true optical depth of field, especially in complex scenes
- Variable aperture gives pro-level control: wide for portraits, stopped down for landscapes
- Targets content creators and photography enthusiasts willing to pay €1,400+ for flagship specs
Conclusion
Variable aperture isn't for everyone. Most people will never adjust it manually.
But for the minority who care — content creators, photography enthusiasts, prosumers — it's the difference between a phone that takes photos and a phone that replaces a camera.
Samsung killed it in 2018 because they prioritized cost and simplicity. They're bringing it back in 2026 because they realized flagship buyers don't want simple. They want control.
In a market where every flagship has 200MP sensors, 100x zoom, and AI-everything, variable aperture is the only true differentiator.
It's not about specs. It's about giving power users the tools to create.
And that's worth bringing back.
Ready for DSLR-level camera control in a smartphone? The Galaxy S26 Ultra reportedly launches in early 2026.
Sarah Lindberg
International Operations Lead
Sarah coordinates our global partner network across 160+ countries, ensuring seamless cross-border debt recovery.
