S27 Ultra model: horizontal camera cluster, size remains almost the same

Galaxy S27 Ultra model with horizontal camera cluster. Photo: Android Headline

The most obvious change is the camera cluster. Since recent Ultra generations, Samsung has arranged the lenses along the left edge of the back. On the S27 Ultra model, the lenses are grouped into a horizontal strip. Tom's Guide compares this style to the raised bump on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Personally, I think it looks a lot less like the Galaxy S, but in return, a tabletop device can help you access channels better than a vertical camera on one side. We'll have to wait for the real machine to know for sure.

Another detail is that on the model, the 10MP 3x optical zoom telephoto lens seems to have been abandoned. The remaining telephoto lens looks quite small, but Tom's Guide says that's because the telephoto lens on the S26 Ultra is designed to look larger than it actually is. This means that looking at the model, we cannot conclude how the camera hardware will change. The model only simulates the outer shell, it does not work and does not show what the internal sensor is.

The machine edge of the S27 Ultra model, the thickness is almost unchanged compared to the S26 Ultra. Photo: Android Headline

In terms of dimensions, the S27 Ultra model measures 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97 mm. The S26 Ultra is 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm. The difference is less than 0.2 mm in each direction, holding it in your hand certainly can't tell the difference. For those of you who are using the S26 Ultra, this has a small advantage: accessories such as screen protectors can be reused, and the back cover will almost certainly have to be bought new because the camera cluster has changed places.

Still has the S Pen, but the Qi2 magnet should wait more

Front view of S27 Ultra model. Photo: Android Headline

Android Headline says the S27 Ultra still has the S Pen embedded in the body. To me, this is an important detail, because the S Pen is the only thing that makes the Ultra line different from other high-end devices, not just the larger version and better camera.

They also say the device has magnets to support full Qi2 wireless charging. But Tom's Guide itself also said that they did not see magnets on the model or on the CAD drawing that the model was based on, so you should question this news. I hope it's true, because up to now, if you want to use chargers and magnetic accessories on the Galaxy S, you still have to use a case with a magnetic ring.

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Galaxy S26 Ultra was in Tinhte's hands at the beginning of the year. S27 Ultra has almost identical dimensions

In addition, previous leaks said that both the S27 Pro and S27 Ultra may have a 2nd generation Privacy Display anti-peeping screen, while the S27 Ultra is rumored to have a larger battery. These two pieces of information are repeated by Android Authority from old news and are not on the NBD list this time.

Four machines, three chips

Summary of NBD list for 2 SIM international version, usually for Europe

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The NBD list records information about the 2 SIM international version, the type commonly sold in Europe. Accordingly, Galaxy S27 and S27+ use Exynos 2700. S27 Pro uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 regular version. Only S27 Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. All 4 devices start with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of memory. Android Authority predicts the S27 Pro and Ultra will have higher RAM versions, but nothing has been confirmed.

The S27, S27+ and S27 Ultra screens keep the same 6.3, 6.7 and 6.9 inches as the S26. The new S27 Pro is a 6.5-inch device, located between the S27 and S27+. That means Samsung did not make the S27 Pro a miniature Ultra with everything, but placed it in the middle position in both size and chip.

Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 with 5 GHz CPU in September. Photo: Tinhte

Exynos on the international S27 and S27+ is not surprising, Samsung has been doing that for many years. The fact that the S27 Ultra uses Snapdragon Extreme version is as expected, because from the S22 Ultra until now, Samsung sells Ultra running Snapdragon in every market. Previously, there were rumors that Samsung could bring the Exynos 2700 to the S27 Ultra because Qualcomm's new chip was hot during internal testing, but Qualcomm issued a statement denying it. Droid Life also said that Samsung and Qualcomm are said to be working on this heat issue together. The only surprise lies in the S27 Pro.

S27 Pro truncated: Gen 6 is usually different from Extreme

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Extreme version are both made on TSMC's 2nm process. Photo: Tinhte

These two chips are more similar than different. According to Tinhte's article from Snapdragon Summit, both are made on TSMC's 2nm process, CPU with 2 Prime 5 GHz cores and 6 Performance 4 GHz cores. The difference lies in the increase compared to 8 Elite Gen 5: Extreme version CPU increased by 13%, regular version increased by 10%. Extreme version GPU increased by 44%, regular version increased by 35%. The Extreme version has an additional 18 MB of dedicated memory for the GPU.

The most visible part is filming. The Extreme version can record 8K 60fps and slow motion 4K 240fps. The regular version is only 8K 30fps and 4K 120fps. Honestly, I haven't seen anyone shoot 8K on their phone much, but 4K 240fps slow motion, some people will regret it.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 tested at the launch event. Photo: Tinhte

Why does Samsung do that? Android Authority gives two reasons. One is that the cheaper chip helps reduce the S27 Pro's component costs, although it is unlikely that those savings will be translated into lower prices for buyers. Second, a smaller 6.5-inch machine has less space for heat dissipation, so the less powerful chip will heat less. The second reason I find reasonable, especially when rumors of overheating of this generation Qualcomm chip have appeared.

In my opinion, the gap between 10% and 13% CPU in daily use is almost unnoticeable. The real problem lies in positioning: those who want the most powerful will be pushed straight to the S27 Ultra, while the S27 Pro becomes a device for those who want a screen that fits in their hand, has Privacy Display, and accepts that it's not the best chip.

What chip are machines sold in Vietnam likely to run

Galaxy S26 and S26+ sold in Vietnam this year use Exynos 2600. Photo: Tinhte

This part is my inference, there is no source that specifically talks about Vietnam, please read with that spirit. The NBD list is the international 2 SIM version. Vietnam often receives the same configuration as the international version, not the US version. This year, the Galaxy S26 and S26+ coming to Vietnam use Exynos 2600, while the S26 Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, in accordance with the division for the international market.

If Samsung keeps this method, I guess the device in Vietnam will be as follows. The S27 and S27+ are almost certainly running Exynos 2700. The S27 Ultra is most likely running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The S27 Pro is most likely the regular Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, because if it uses Snapdragon in the international version, Vietnam will hardly be different.

The S26 generation has 3 devices, the S27 generation is rumored to have 4 devices. Photo: Tinhte

There is a variable. Leaker Ice Universe says buyers in Korea may still get the S27 Ultra running Exynos 2700, but nothing is clear yet. If that happens, it usually only applies to Korea like previous generations, there is no sign that Vietnam is affected. Those who are interested should wait until Samsung opens pre-orders and check Samsung Vietnam's specs page to be sure.

So which version should you wait for

Galaxy S26 Ultra was in hand at the beginning of the year. If you need the S Pen, the S27 model still has only one option

If you need the S Pen, want the best camera and record a lot of videos, then think no: S27 Ultra. It is the only device with an Extreme chip, 8K 60fps recording and is rumored to have a larger battery.

If you like compact devices but still want Snapdragon and Privacy Display, the 6.5-inch S27 Pro is a choice worth waiting for. Chips are usually a bit worse than Extreme, but with web surfing, social networking, and regular gaming, I think you won't see a difference. Just remember that Privacy Display on S27 Pro is still a rumor from previous leaks.

If you prioritize price, the S27 and S27+ running Exynos 2700 are two reasonable devices. The actual performance of the Exynos 2700 cannot be said until the test is released.

As for those of you who are using the S26 Ultra, I think you can safely ignore this one, because the size is the same, the chip increases a little every year, the biggest change is the camera cluster and it's unclear whether the camera is better or not. Tom's Guide says the S27 is expected to launch in January, Droid Life says around February. There's no news on the price yet, but with RAM and OLED panels rumored to increase in price next year, I don't expect it to be cheaper than the S26. Which version are you looking at?

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