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Galaxy S21 camera rumors: Take a look at that leaked camera bump redesign

We gathered all the rumors, leaks and educated guesses swirling around Samsung's forthcoming flagship, the Galaxy S21.

Karisa Langlo Senior Editor
Karisa Langlo has been writing and editing professionally for over 12 years, joining CNET with two writing degrees and bylines in Milwaukee Magazine, Louisville Magazine and The Masters Review. She started on CNET's mobile team before expanding to all tech and now works across categories to optimize the performance of all CNET advice and storytelling, from Wellness to Money, News and Culture. Karisa also manages strategy for CNET's Tips franchise.
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galaxy-s21-ultra-camera-bump-leak

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's camera bump in leaked photo

Evan Blass

Word on the street is that Samsung's releasing the Galaxy S21 a bit early this year. Samsung sent invitations to its Jan. 14 Galaxy Unpacked event on the last day of CES, and we're expecting to see its full 2021 flagship lineup unveiled later today: The Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra, if Samsung follows its usual naming conventions. 

Rumors abound (including the possibility of S Pen support and the potential end of the Galaxy Note line), and we've already seen speculation and leaks about the new phone's colors, specs and how it might compare to the S20. What most people are excited for, however, is some new camera tricks.

Read more: Will Samsung Galaxy S21 have a headphone jack? Here's why we don't think so

When Samsung's 2020 flagship lineup, the Galaxy S20, was released just under a year ago, we were pretty impressed with the camera setup. We loved trying out features like Space Zoom and Single Take, and the photos themselves outshined even the iPhone 11's capabilities. It's safe to say expectations are high for Samsung's 2021 followup. Here's what we've heard so far about the Galaxy S21's camera.

Galaxy S21's rumored camera specs

Reputable leaker Evan Blass released a veritable treasure trove of Galaxy S21 camera info on Twitter earlier this month, detailing the resolutions and specs for all three phones . These specs appear to corroborate earlier leaks. 

Blass followed up his earlier leak with an even more comprehensive collection of leaked Galaxy S21 promo slides earlier today. If rumors are true, the S21 and S21 Plus will have identical triple-camera setups on the back and a single hole-punch front camera, while the S21 Ultra gets an additional telephoto lens.

Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus cameras

  • Selfie camera: 10 megapixels
  • Rear ultrawide: 12 megapixels
  • Rear main: 12 megapixels
  • Rear telephoto: 64 megapixels

Galaxy S21 Ultra cameras

  • Selfie camera: 40 megapixels
  • Rear ultrawide: 12 megapixels
  • Rear main: 108 megapixels
  • Rear telephoto: 10 megapixels, 3x zoom
  • Rear telephoto: 10 megapixels, 10x zoom

Will Galaxy S21 get a redesigned camera module?

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A closer look at the Galaxy S21 in leaked image

Evan Blass

Leaked images of the forthcoming Galaxy S21 show what looks like a redesigned camera bump, which could potentially be more flush with the body of the phone and look less like a "glued-on domino," as CNET's Iyaz Akhtar described it. The shape of the camera module is also changing, from the rounded-corner rectangle of the S20 to a shape that's more integrated into the edge of the phone, with two rounded corners and two right angles. 

We can also conclude from the leaks that the flash will be outside the camera bump, at least on the S21 and S21 Plus, and that the hole-punch selfie camera on the front of the phone precludes an under-display camera.

What about the S21 Ultra's cameras?

With its extra telephoto lens, the Galaxy S21 Ultra's camera module looks like it's going to be massive. While the S21's flash will be outside of the camera module, the S21 Ultra's is incorporated, just to the right of the camera housing.

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The Galaxy S21 Ultra's leaked camera specs

Evan Blass

As far as features go, we're expecting to see the S20 Ultra's 100 Space Zoom reappear here, which is Samsung's term for a hybrid of digital and optical zoom technology. And we also assume the S21 Ultra's 108-megapixel rear camera will use the pixel binning method (previously seen on the S20 Ultra), which helps the camera take great photos in the dark.

Until Samsung's Unpacked event this morning, all we can do is speculate. Check out our Galaxy S21 rumor roundup for the latest news we've heard so far, and join us for Galaxy Unpacked, when the S21 (and its cameras) will probably be revealed.

More Samsung Galaxy S21 rumors: