We’re deep in leak season, and honestly, the Galaxy S27 series might be the most leaked Samsung lineup yet we know a ton about these phones roughly seven months before they’re expected to land. And for once, the leaks point to real, meaningful change rather than another year of “same phone, slightly better.” If you’ve been sitting on a Galaxy from the S22, S23, S24, S25, or S26 era waiting for a reason to upgrade, the S27 might finally be it.
Here’s everything worth knowing about the S27 Pro and S27 Ultra so far, and a full FAQ at the end for the quick questions.
The headline: Samsung is going to four flagships
The biggest change isn’t a spec it’s the lineup itself. For years, Samsung’s Galaxy S series came in three flavors: base, Plus, and Ultra. In 2027, that becomes four: the Galaxy S27, S27+, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra.
And this isn’t just a rumor anymore. All four models have shown up in the GSMA database, the global registry where phone makers file for the IMEI numbers every device needs before it can hit carrier networks. The filings list four distinct model numbers: the S27 (SM-S952U), S27+ (SM-S956U), S27 Pro (SM-S957B/DS), and S27 Ultra (SM-S958U). That’s about as close to official confirmation as you get without Samsung actually saying it out loud. Companies don’t file regulatory paperwork for phones they aren’t building.
Why does that matter? Because Samsung floated a “Pro” model last year for the S26 and then quietly killed it, shipping only three phones. The difference this time: the S26 Pro never reached GSMA registration. The S27 Pro has. So this one looks like the real deal.
The new Pro slots in between the Plus and the Ultra; it doesn’t replace the Plus. If that structure sounds familiar, it should: it’s basically Samsung answering Apple’s iPhone Pro / Pro Max playbook. Interestingly, Apple’s been shaking up its lineup timing too, splitting its foldable and Air models across different launch windows you can read more on that in our foldable iPhone Ultra breakdown.
Galaxy S27 Ultra: a real redesign, at last
The S27 Ultra is the one longtime Samsung fans have been waiting for, because it’s getting an actual design overhaul after years of near-identical slabs. Two things are driving what looks like strong demand already.
A brand-new look. Reports point to a redesigned rear camera arrangement; the lenses are being repositioned rather than sitting in the same familiar vertical stack. Samsung’s also expected to roll out fresh colorways, including a cherry-red-style option.
One fewer camera on purpose. Here’s the interesting part. Samsung’s Ultra phones have long carried four rear cameras: a main, an ultrawide, a 3.5x telephoto, and a 5x periscope zoom. Running two separate zoom lenses ate up internal space and forced compromises on sensor size. The plan now is to lean on a beefed-up 200MP main sensor powerful enough to cover the shorter 3.5x zoom range through cropping, letting Samsung drop to a cleaner three-camera setup.
That freed-up space goes toward two upgrades people will actually feel:
- A much bigger battery. After being stuck at 5,000mAh for years, the S27 Ultra is rumored to jump to around 6,500mAh a genuinely big deal for all-day endurance.
- Built-in magnetic wireless charging. Think MagSafe-style magnets baked right into the phone. This rides on the Qi2 wireless standard (the same tech now showing up across iPhones and Android), so you won’t need one of Samsung’s special magnetic cases anymore; the magnets live inside the phone itself.
Under the hood, expect Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for Galaxy, plus UFS 5.0 storage, which is roughly twice as fast as the UFS 3.1 in older devices. Samsung confirmed its first UFS 5.0 module back in June 2026, and the S27 line is widely expected to debut it.
Galaxy S27 Pro: Ultra features, smaller body, lower price
The S27 Pro is arguably the most interesting phone in the lineup because it aims to deliver most of the Ultra experience in a more compact, more affordable package. Based on current leaks, here’s what it’s shaping up to offer:
- A 6.47-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display noticeably smaller and more one-hand-friendly than the Ultra’s ~6.9-inch panel with QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Privacy Display tech, which narrows viewing angles so people can’t snoop on your screen from the side. This debuted as an S26 Ultra exclusive, and its trickle-down to the Pro would be a first.
- The same in-display fingerprint scanner is expected on the S27 Ultra.
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro globally, at least 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of fast UFS 5.0 storage.
- A 5,000mAh battery, despite the smaller frame solid for a phone this size.
- A 200MP main camera and 50MP ultrawide are shared with the Ultra tier.
The big trade-off: no S Pen. Samsung is reportedly keeping stylus support exclusive to the Ultra, which makes sense it’s the Ultra’s signature feature and its main reason to exist at a premium price. So the way to think about the Pro vs. Ultra split is a lot like iPhone Pro vs. Pro Max: nearly the same phone, with the bigger model adding S Pen support and longer battery life.
One genuinely unsettled question: the Pro’s telephoto lens. Sources disagree; some point to a 50MP 3.5x optical zoom, others to a 5x periscope. It’s a bigger deal than it sounds. A 5x periscope would put the Pro squarely in Ultra territory for zoom; a 3.5x lens keeps clear daylight between the two. Which one Samsung ships will decide whether the Pro is a true Ultra alternative or a notch below. We likely won’t know for sure until FCC filings surface around September 2026.
What about the S27 and S27+?
The two more affordable models are expected to keep Qualcomm silicon in the US, though reports suggest the base S27 and S27+ may still use Samsung’s own Exynos 2700 in some regions outside the States. The Pro and Ultra, however, are expected to run Snapdragon globally, so if you specifically want to avoid Exynos, the two top models are the safer bet. (The video rumor that Exynos is fully dead looks a bit overstated; it’s more that Samsung is reserving Snapdragon for its highest tiers everywhere.)
Release date and price
Samsung typically launches its S-series in the first couple of months of the year, and the S27 family is expected at a Galaxy Unpacked event in January or February 2027. More concrete specs usually firm up around September 2026 as FCC and regional certifications roll in, with the Unpacked date itself usually locked in around late October or November.
On price, nothing’s official, but here’s the lay of the land. The current S26 line runs about $899 (base), $1,099 (Plus), and $1,299 (Ultra). Slotting in a Pro likely lands it somewhere around $1,099–$1,199 and may push the Ultra higher to make room. One thing worth bracing for: the global memory-chip shortage hammering electronics prices in 2026 could bump the whole lineup up by $50–$100 regardless. So don’t be shocked if the S27 series launches pricier than the S26 did.
Should you wait for it?
If you’re on a Galaxy from the last few years, that still works fine; the S27 is shaping up to be a worthwhile jump. A real redesign, a much bigger battery, magnetic charging, and faster storage are the kind of changes you actually notice day to day. Combine that with Apple’s first foldable landing around the same window, and 2027 is genuinely stacking up to be a major year for phones.
The usual caveat applies, though: these are leaks and regulatory filings, not final Samsung specs. Details, especially that telephoto lens and final pricing, can and will shift before launch. Treat this as a very well-informed preview, not gospel.
Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra: FAQs
Is the Galaxy S27 Pro real?
Yes, as confirmed as it gets pre-launch. All four S27 models, including the Pro (model SM-S957B/DS), appear in the GSMA regulatory database. That confirms the name and that it’s in active development, though it doesn’t lock in specs or pricing.
When will the Galaxy S27 series launch?
Most reporting points to a Galaxy Unpacked event in January or February 2027, in line with Samsung’s usual early-year timing. Detailed specs typically surface around September 2026.
How many models are in the Galaxy S27 lineup?
Four: the Galaxy S27, S27+, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra. It’s the first time Samsung has fielded four mainline S-series flagships at once. A Galaxy S27 FE may also arrive later in 2027.
What’s the difference between the S27 Pro and S27 Ultra?
The Pro is essentially a smaller, cheaper Ultra. It shares much of the Ultra’s hardware: Snapdragon chip, 200MP camera, Privacy Display in a compact 6.47-inch body. The Ultra adds S Pen support, a larger display, a bigger (~6,500mAh) battery, and its full camera system. Think iPhone Pro vs. Pro Max.
Does the Galaxy S27 Pro have an S Pen?
No. The S Pen is expected to remain an Ultra-exclusive feature.
Why does the S27 Ultra have fewer cameras?
Samsung is reportedly dropping from four rear cameras to three, using a more powerful 200MP main sensor to handle the shorter 3.5x zoom range. The saved internal space goes toward a bigger battery and magnetic wireless charging.
What chip will the S27 Pro and Ultra use?
Both are expected to run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for Galaxy globally. The base S27 and S27+ may still use Samsung’s Exynos 2700 in some regions outside the US.
How big is the S27 Ultra’s battery?
Rumored at around 6,500mAh, a significant jump from the 5,000mAh Samsung has used for years.
Will the Galaxy S27 be more expensive than the S26?
Possibly. The S27 Pro is estimated at around $1,099–$1,199, and the 2026 memory-chip shortage could push the entire lineup up by roughly $50–$100 versus the S26.