The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra is set to feature Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for Galaxy , a new 200MP ISOCELL HP6 sensor with LOFIC technology, a 5,700mAh silicon-carbon battery, and an exclusive privacy screen feature that no other model in the series has. Samsung is preparing its Galaxy Unpacked event for February 2027, while leaks for the entire Galaxy S27 lineup are multiplying, unlocking a series of upgrades that were leaked months before the official announcement.
The Galaxy S27 Ultra has been in the news since late 2025, but the official unveiling has confirmed almost all of the insider predictions. The main question for most users is no longer “what will it bring,” but “is it worth the upgrade” — and the answers vary depending on which model someone already owns.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro: Jump from 3nm to 2nm
The biggest difference this year is the chip. While the base Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27+ are expected to be powered by the Exynos 2700, the Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to exclusively feature Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro — a big jump from the S26 Ultra’s 3nm, with two Oryon V3 Phoenix L cores clocked at 4.74GHz and six Phoenix M cores clocked at 3.62GHz. This is the special edition designed exclusively for Galaxy devices (for Galaxy edition), optimized exclusively for Samsung, which means better thermal management and faster response in demanding apps and gaming compared to general versions of the same chip.
For the Greek market, where mobile gaming and the use of banking/video watching apps in 4K are widespread habits, the processor difference between the Ultra and the base model may be the most important purchasing criterion this year, even more so than the camera.
200MP Camera: What changes in practice
The Galaxy S27 Ultra 's main sensor is expected to remain at 200MP but with a new ISOCELL HP6 sensor and LOFIC technology, but this year it gains a wider f/1.4 aperture instead of the f/1.7 of previous generations — a change that means more light on the sensor and better low-light photos, something valuable in evening shots in Greek cities with uneven municipal lighting. The periscope telephoto lens is upgraded to 50MP with 5x optical zoom, replacing the older lower-resolution sensor.
In total, the Ultra's rear camera system includes four sensors: a 200MP main, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, a 50MP ultrawide, and an additional 10MP telephoto lens with triple optical zoom. The base S27 and S27+ are expected to retain more conventional three-sensor arrangements at 50MP/10MP/12MP, without the radical upgrade of the Ultra.
See also: iPhone 18 Pro: 10 important features that change your iPhone
Privacy Display: The surprise feature exclusive to Ultra
The most original addition of this generation does not concern the camera or the processor, but the screen. Privacy Display is a pixel-level function that blocks selected parts of the screen from side view, so that people next to you — on a bus, subway or coffee shop — do not see sensitive content such as banking transactions or personal messages. The peculiarity is that the user can choose which part of the screen to “hide”, leaving the rest visible as usual.
The feature is exclusive to the Galaxy S27 Ultra — neither the standard S27 nor the S27+ are expected to feature it, making it a key selling point for those concerned about their privacy in public spaces. In Greece, where using mobile banking on public transport is now a daily habit, this feature takes on practical value beyond marketing.
Screen, battery and design
The Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a resolution of 3120×1440 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a maximum brightness of up to 3000 nits — high enough for clear use even under the intense Greek summer sun. The 5,700mAh — a big upgrade from the 5,000mAh of the S26 Ultra — is expected to support 65W wired charging and 25W wireless charging, while RAM starts at 12GB and goes up to 16GB, with storage up to 1TB in the higher version.
This year's design adopts a new, more unified pill-shaped camera island on the back, replacing the individual circle arrangement of previous generations. The change is conceptually reminiscent of the camera plateau aesthetic that Apple has already adopted on some iPhone models, showing a convergence of design trends in the smartphone industry.
See also: iOS 27: 10 important new features and which iPhones will support them
Prices and availability in the Greek market
The starting prices are as follows: the Galaxy S27 is expected to start at 899 euros, the Galaxy S27+ at 1149 euros and the Galaxy S27 Ultra at 1349 euros for the base storage version. All models now start at 256GB of storage, as Samsung has eliminated the 128GB versions. The official release in stores is set for March 11, 2026, with pre-orders already open.
The price increase over the previous generation is noticeable across the range, which many analysts attribute to the increased cost of memory chips and the new Gorilla Armor 2 display. However, early pre-orders offer double the storage at no extra cost, a tactic Samsung has used in previous generations to absorb the backlash to price increases.
How does it compare to the competition?
Comparisons with Apple's iPhone 18 Pro are inevitable, as both models are aimed at the same premium user base. While Apple is investing in software-based image processing improvements and closer integration with its ecosystem, Samsung is betting on pure hardware features — a larger camera sensor, a larger screen, and unique privacy features. The choice between Android and iOS remains fundamentally a matter of ecosystem rather than technical specifications for most consumers.
See also: Perplexity: Personal Computer AI is coming to Windows
One UI 8.5 and software
The Galaxy S27 series is expected to ship with One UI 9.5 based on Android 17 over Android 16, bringing small but noticeable improvements to multitasking, notifications, and integration with Samsung's AI tools. AI photo editing, real-time translation, and notification summaries are further improved over the previous version, although the basic structure of the software remains familiar to those coming from older Galaxy models.
Samsung has historically committed to seven years of software updates for the S series, a policy that is expected to apply to the S27 as well, placing the device among the longest-supported Android smartphones on the market — an important criterion for buyers who want to keep their device beyond four or five years.
Is the upgrade worth it?
For Galaxy S23 or older owners, upgrading to the S27 Ultra offers a noticeable difference in performance, camera, and display. For Galaxy S24 or S25 Ultra owners, the upgrade is less compelling unless Privacy Display or improved low-light camera are a priority. The final decision largely depends on budget, as the price difference between the Ultra and the base model reaches 400 euros.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer data from an older Galaxy to the S27?
Samsung Smart Switch remains free and supports wireless or wired transfer via a USB-C to USB-C cable, at no cost to the user regardless of the original model.
Does the Galaxy S27 Ultra support a microSD card?
No, the Galaxy S series abandoned the microSD port in 2020 and this year's generation continues without storage expansion, so the capacity selection at the time of purchase is final.
Will a Galaxy S27 FE version be released later in 2027?
Based on Samsung's release history, a cheaper FE version (Fan Edition) is usually expected in September or October, about six to seven months after the main series.
Does Privacy Display work on videos as well or only on static content?
The feature is implemented at the display system level, so it covers both static apps and video playback, although Samsung notes that maximum effectiveness is achieved in text and banking apps.
What is the official IP rating for the S27 Ultra?
The device maintains an IP68 certification for dust and water protection, the same as previous Ultra generations, allowing for immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
How does Greek VAT and import duties affect the final retail price?
The prices announced by Samsung Hellas already include 24% VAT, however they may differ slightly from prices in other European markets due to local pricing policies and device recycling programs.
