Galaxy s27: what to expect from samsung's next flagship

After the underwhelming Galaxy S26 series, Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy S27, a much-needed upgrade to its flagship lineup. The new phone is expected to arrive early next year, likely alongside the S27 Ultra.

Design and display

While there's no concrete leak on the design just yet, Samsung is likely to stick with the familiar glass sandwich design, IP68 rating, and possibly some new color options. The traditional 6.3-inch screen size for the S27 is expected, with a 2,600 pixel density. The S27 Plus, however, might retain its 6.9-inch display.

Camera and battery

There's no official word on camera upgrades, but Samsung is rumored to be planning a major overhaul for the S27 Ultra. The base S27 and Plus might not get a hardware upgrade, but they'll likely feature plenty of camera-focused AI enhancements.

As for the battery, the S27 and S27 Plus could finally receive a significant boost, possibly with 4,300 mAh and 4,900 mAh capacities, respectively. Wireless charging support might also be improved.

Hardware and software

The S27 series is expected to run on One UI 9.5, based on Android 17. This new OS promises efficiency and refinement over its predecessor. Android 17 itself is set to debut in summer 2026, with features like widespread blur effects, separated Quick Settings, and a new Handoff-like feature allowing seamless device transition.

Release date and price

The Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus are anticipated to launch in early 2027, likely alongside the S27 Ultra. As for pricing, Samsung might maintain the elevated prices set by the S26 series, but this is purely speculative at the moment.

Should you wait for the Galaxy S27? If you're not due for an upgrade and have the S25, it might be worth holding off for the S27. However, if you urgently need a new device, the S27's release date is still a ways off, making it impractical to wait.