New Samsung Leak Justifies Brave Galaxy S24 Ultra Downgrade

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra promises some innovative AI powered camera advantages over the Galaxy S23 ... [+] Ultra (pictured) Samsung’s much anticipated Galaxy S24 series launch is just days away. However, last minute leaks are still rolling in, and a new report reveals powerful behind the scenes Galaxy S24 Ultra upgrades that help explain Samsung’s expected camera hardware changes.

According to an unverified but authentic looking retail training document shared by X user Harshit Joshi , the forthcoming Samsung flagship camera will eclipse the current Galaxy S23 Ultra when taking zoom photos, despite an expected “downgrade” to the zoom lens specs. In this year's Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung is reportedly replacing the S23 Ultra’s 10x telephoto camera with a higher resolution but lower magnification 5x version.

This has led to concerns over the newer model’s ability to capture long range zoom shots without reducing quality. However, in a section titled “Space Zoom,” the document promises “excellent zoom quality at all ranges” and “optical quality” zoom at 2x,3x,5x and, more importantly, 10x magnification.

Samsung’s trademark long range Space Zoom digital zoom feature also transfers to the Galaxy S24 Ultra at magnifications up to 100x. This suggests the Galaxy S24 Ultra won’t suffer any image quality loss in the switch from 10x to 5x optical zoom. According to the report, this is achieved by using a much higher resolution sensor in the new 5x camera bolstered by improved image processing techniques.

Samsung teases new AI powered zoom features for Galaxy S24 series cameras. Furthermore, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to activate multi frame processing at all zoom levels, not just at 20x and higher, as is the case with the S23 Ultra. This should result in reduced noise and improved detail across the entire zoom range, further boosted by new AI powered “super resolution” algorithms.

Despite these advances, Samsung will still have its work cut out in convincing potential buyers that this perceived downgrade from 10x telephoto to 5x will result in better photos. All will be revealed at the official Galaxy Unpacked event on Jan 17. Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.