The Galaxy S27 could bring a new Pro model and a fresh look for some of the range. The leaks so far point to familiar designs, camera trade-offs and higher prices which is kind of depressing, especially since the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra was so good.
If you’re due an upgrade, or thinking about a Galaxy phone, my advice would be to look at a refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra or S23 Plus because both already offer a lot of the same everyday appeal for way less money.
To be frank, Samsung isn’t in a good spot right now anyway. The cost of memory has never been higher (that’s why phones are getting more and more expensive) thanks to AI, and the company’s mobile division posted its first ever loss earlier this year. Losses mean corners being cut, concessions, and this, I feel, is what we’re seeing with the Galaxy S27 series.
Samsung’s Galaxy S27 phones are still months from launch, and the details below are based on leaks, not confirmed specifications which means things can change. But most reports and leaks point to the regular S27 and S27 Plus looking pretty much the same as their predecessors. The new S27 Pro may sit between the Plus and Ultra, but could miss out on some of the Ultra’s key features.
During times of incremental updates and sky rocketing prices, cheaper alternatives make way more sense:
- A 256GB Galaxy S24 Ultra is currently listed for $592, with a displayed saving of $807 (57%).
- A 256GB Galaxy S23+ is listed for $259.99, with a displayed saving of $740 (74%).
Prices and stock can change, so check the latest refurbished Samsung deals before buying.
The Galaxy S27 design may not change much
Leaked cases reportedly show the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus keeping the vertical triple-camera layout used on recent Samsung phones. The S27 Pro and S27 Ultra may have a larger camera island.
That could give the top models a different look from the back, but it doesn’t tell us whether they’ll feel different to use. The S27 range is still expected to follow Samsung’s familiar design: large-screen phones in familiar sizes, with the main differences between models coming down to their features.
These are early case leaks, so they’re only a rough guide to the phones’ shape and button placement. Samsung hasn’t confirmed the designs.
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Compare 900+ refurbished phones →The S27 Pro may not justify its place in the range
Samsung is reportedly adding a Galaxy S27 Pro between the Plus and Ultra. It could suit buyers who want a smaller phone with some high-end features, without carrying the largest model.
The leaked specifications suggest a few compromises. The S27 Pro may not have an S Pen or Samsung’s Privacy Display. It’s also tipped to use a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera, while the Ultra may get a 50-megapixel 5x telephoto camera.
There are rumours that the Ultra could lose its own 3x telephoto camera. If that happens, the two phones would offer different zoom options. None of this is confirmed, but it leaves the Pro with a question to answer: what does it offer that makes its price worthwhile?
You can follow the latest Galaxy S27 news and leaks as more details emerge.
The S24 Ultra already has the features many buyers want
If all you use your phone for is social media, browsing the web and watching videos, you probably don’t need a brand new, top of the range phone. I figured this out years ago. I was paying flagship money for my phones and then using them like 90% of people: social media, the odd photo and video, email, IM, and web browsing.
I never used the cameras or video to their full potential, so why pay for them. I hate budget phones, though, so a happy medium for me is buying a slightly older flagship with excellent support (I currently run a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max). That way I get all the high-end performance that matters to me (screen tech, battery life, CPU, and the camera tech if and when I need it), without paying $1000+ for the phone.
Case in point: a refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $592 for a 256GB model; that’s a saving of saving of $807, or 57%, against its new price.
It has a large display, an S Pen and a multi-camera system. If those are the features you want from a Galaxy, the S24 Ultra already covers them. A new S27 Ultra would need to offer enough of an improvement to make its higher launch price worthwhile.
The S24 series also has Samsung’s seven-year software support commitment. Check the individual listing for its condition, warranty and battery information, since these can vary.
The S23+ costs less
The refurbished Galaxy S23+ is listed from $259.99 for a 256GB model, a saving of $740, or 74%, and it is still a great phone. For more casual users that just want something that works, this would be a great place to start. You’re basically paying feature phone money for high-end hardware that is still more than impressive in 2026.
It’s a lower-cost option with a large screen and flagship-level performance. It won’t have the S Pen or the Ultra’s full camera setup, and it has less software support remaining than the S24 series. For buyers who want a big-screen Samsung without paying for the latest model, though, it’s worth comparing with newer phones.
The Samsung refurbished page shows current models, prices and savings, so be sure to check them out and compare and contrast them to find the one that suits you best. You can also take our phone finder quiz that’ll curate a selection of phones based on your exact budget, requested features and even specific brands.
The Galaxy S27 range may look more appealing once Samsung announces it. For now, the leaks don’t show a clear reason to pay launch prices. The refurbished S24 Ultra offers an S Pen and a full flagship camera setup, while the S23+ gives you a large-screen Galaxy for much less.
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