Report: Samsung Developing “Global Shutter” Sensor for Galaxy S27
While recent reports suggest the upcoming Galaxy S26 will reuse existing camera hardware, Samsung appears to be preparing a big upgrade for its 2027 flagship lineup. A new report from South Korea indicates the tech giant is developing a custom camera sensor with global shutter capabilities, a feature that could debut in the Galaxy S27 series.
Global Shutter vs. Rolling Shutter
The rumoured upgrade centres on a fundamental change in how the image sensor captures light. Most modern smartphones use “rolling shutter” sensors, which scan the image line by line from top to bottom. This method is efficient but can cause distortion when capturing fast-moving subjects, such as fan blades appearing curved or trains looking slanted.
A global shutter sensor captures every pixel in the frame simultaneously. This eliminates motion artefacts, making it ideal for freezing fast action without distortion. Currently, this technology is primarily found in high-end professional cinema cameras and industrial machine vision systems.
Technical Specifications
According to sources, Samsung’s experimental sensor features:
- Resolution: 12 Megapixels
- Pixel Size: 1.5 µm
- Architecture: Stacked 2×2 formation
- Integration: Embedded analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) for rapid data processing
The 12MP resolution suggests this sensor might not replace the primary main camera, which typically boasts much higher megapixel counts for pixel binning. Instead, Samsung may deploy this technology for the telephoto or ultrawide modules, where fast capture rates are often critical for sports and action photography.
The Race Against Apple
Samsung is reportedly not alone in pursuing this technology. Rumours suggest Apple is also testing global shutter sensors for future iPhone models. If both companies succeed in commercialising the tech, 2027 could mark a major shift in mobile photography, moving the battleground from megapixel counts to capture speed and motion fidelity.
While the Galaxy S26 is expected to launch in early 2026 with familiar hardware, the S27 could represent the substantial innovation leap that enthusiasts have been waiting for.
