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| The successor to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra pictured here is set to receive a new camera module. |
A new report out of South Korea suggests Samsung is radically shaking up its 2027 flagship lineup. According to details shared on Naver by reliable leaker yeux1122, the tech giant is preparing a "small but strong" Galaxy S27 Pro that could go head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro in the compact flagship war.
For years, Android users who prefer smaller phones have felt left out. While Apple has successfully offered a premium compact option, Samsung’s "Ultra" model has remained a large, heavy phablet. That might finally change next year.
The Galaxy S27 Pro: Compact Size, No Compromises
According to the Naver blog post, the Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro will feature a display measuring roughly 6.4 inches diagonally. That would make it nearly identical in footprint to the upcoming Apple iPhone 17 Pro, offering a true one-handed experience without sacrificing high-end specs.
If this information is correct, Samsung would follow Apple’s strategy by offering two compact models at different price points: the standard Galaxy S27 and the more feature-rich Galaxy S27 Pro.
Compared to the anticipated Galaxy S26, the S27 Pro is said to pack three major improvements: a new camera sensor, a larger battery, and a thinner body. This addresses two common complaints about smaller phones—poor battery life and mediocre camera performance in a slim chassis.
But the surprises don’t end there. Earlier rumors indicate the compact flagship will inherit the privacy display first seen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This hardware-level feature makes sensitive screen content (like texts or banking apps) unrecognizable to people standing next to you.
Speaking of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, you can still check out current pricing and availability for the previous generation’s top-tier model on Amazon here.
Additionally, the Galaxy S27 Pro will reportedly ship globally with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. This is a major departure from Samsung’s usual strategy, where the cheaper Galaxy S27 might get an in-house Exynos processor. It seems Samsung wants the Pro to have absolute top-tier performance in every region.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra: Three Massive Upgrades
While the Pro model focuses on size, the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is set to receive at least three significant upgrades that focus on photography, battery, and design.
1. A Complete Design Overhaul
Firstly, Samsung is reportedly giving the flagship a revised design with a brand new camera module layout. While specifics are vague, the Naver source hints at a physical rearrangement of the lenses, moving away from the current design language to accommodate the new hardware.
2. Revolutionary Camera Upgrades
This is where things get exciting. Rumors have been pointing to a 200-megapixel main camera featuring a new sensor and—wait for it—a variable aperture. This would be a massive comeback for a feature Samsung abandoned years ago, allowing the camera to physically switch between f/1.4 for low light and f/2.8 for bright, sharp landscapes.
More controversially, the dedicated 10 MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom is said to be replaced by digital zoom solutions, likely relying on the high-resolution main sensor for cropping. Meanwhile, the periscope zoom is expected to remain.
3. A Much Larger Battery, Yet Lighter Feel
Thirdly, Samsung is reportedly moving away from the 5,000 mAh battery found in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The S27 Ultra will pack a significantly higher capacity cell. Even more impressive? The phone is said to be lighter than its 214-gram predecessor while remaining almost exactly the same thickness. Losing weight without sacrificing battery size would be a phenomenal engineering achievement.
Concerns Remain
The Naver source doesn't hide potential pitfalls. For the S27 Pro, there are worries about "cost issues" leading to spec downgrades or a confusing identity between the Plus and Ultra models. For the Ultra, the main concern is that Samsung might reuse older display materials to save money, relying only on software improvements for the screen.
One thing is clear: 2027 is shaping up to be a battle of the giants—and the compact kings.
Source(s)
- Naver Blog (yeux1122)
- Amanz (teaser image reference)