Understanding samsung’s huge 2027 Galaxy lineup would be a big gamble
Which Samsung flagship should I buy?
Once upon a time, it was a relatively simple decision, with just two or three models to choose from. Six soon became the baseline, but what about eight?
If Korea’s Electronic Times is accurate, we could be looking at four high-end Samsung Galaxy phones in the first half of 2027, before another quartet later in the year. While appealing in principle, this expansion would be a nightmare for prospective buyers.
Too much of a good thing
I’m a big fan of Samsung phones, regularly recommending them to family and friends. But pinpointing exactly which model to get is already an arduous process, with dozens of models to choose from.
Flagships have been mostly immune to this, but I’d argue that 2026’s six-strong lineup is already pushing it.
the S27+ and S27 Pro appear to be targeting the exact same type of buyer
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is a lazy ‘upgrade’ that’s more expensive than last year’s Flip 7 while offering no clear-cut benefits. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26+ sits in no man’s land, with the much cheaper S25 FE offering everything most people need in a 6.7-inch phone.
Luke Baker
Four models would’ve made much more sense:
- Galaxy S26 – compact, (more) affordable bar phone
- Galaxy S26 Ultra – ultra-premium bar phone
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 – folding phone for entertainment
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra – folding phone for productivity
By going in the opposite direction, Samsung risks confusing buyers like never before. Especially by adding a model which makes no sense…
Pro? Oh no
Samsung’s non-folding flagship lineup is already bloated, so why does it want to make things worse?
A fourth, ‘Pro’-branded phone would only muddy the waters. It’s likely to sit between the Plus and Ultra in terms of price, but I highly doubt there’s a gap in the market. At least the short-lived Galaxy S25 Edge had a unique selling point; the S27+ and S27 Pro appear to be targeting the exact same type of buyer.
Luke Baker
If Samsung deems this necessary, I’d be totally baffled, and I test smartphones for a living. How can you expect less tech-savvy members of the public to make an informed decision?
In my experience, when faced with a dilemma like this, people tend to opt for the most premium model to avoid “missing out”. But the Ultra is total overkill for most people, and buying it often leads to massive overpayment for features they don’t use.
Four-fold frustration
The second half of Samsung’s so-called “4+4” strategy isn’t quite so egregious, but I still don’t love it.
2027 would be a terrible time for a second generation of tri-fold
Despite rumours of its cancellation, Electronic Times has included the Galaxy Z Flip 9 in the 2027 lineup. After testing the Flip 8, I really don’t think Samsung should bother.
At the other end of the scale, Samsung looks set to revive its Galaxy Z TriFold line, after the original was discontinued in March following just three months of sales.
Britta O’Boyle
While I admire its ambition, 2027 would be a terrible time for a second generation of tri-fold. The CEO of SK Hynix, the world’s second biggest memory maker, told Reuters earlier this month that next year will be “the worst year in the industry’s history from the supply perspective”.
With a high price tag likely one of the main reasons for the original’s short lifespan, I can’t see things getting any better next year.
Focusing on the Z Fold 9 and Z Fold 9 Ultra would be a wise move, especially with Apple set to enter the foldables fray.
