Teardown shows off large camera sensor and periscopic telephoto lens Galaxy S20 Ultra

IFixit has subjected the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra to a teardown. The site gives an extensive look at the guts of Samsung’s new top model and pays a lot of attention to the cameras.

The cameras of the Galaxy S20 Ultra are striking in several ways. For example, Samsung uses a 1/1.3″ sensor for the primary camera with a surface that is almost three times as large as that of camera sensors in other high-end smartphones. We wrote extensively about this in our camera test of the S20 Ultra, but iFixit demonstrates that once again by placing the S20 Ultra sensor next to that of an iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Camera sensor Galaxy S20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max – Photo: iFixit

The teardown of iFixit also provides insight into the periscopic telephoto lens that Samsung uses. The South Korean manufacturer itself had not yet shown the exact construction. According to the repair site, Samsung uses a prism with optical image stabilization. The prism reflects the stabilized image at a 90-degree angle into the 4x telephoto lens, which lies flat in the housing. In a video iFixit shows that the telephoto lens can move in the housing. That freedom of movement is necessary to be able to focus.

Galaxy S20 Ultra Periscopic Telephoto Lens – Photo: iFixit

When it comes to making repairs, the S20 Ultra is no different from other recent Samsung smartphones, according to iFixit. In particular, removing the glued screen and the glued battery are difficult jobs. According to the site, a plus is the use of one type of screws, so that you only need one screwdriver.