Samsung could be making a significant camera change with the Galaxy S27 and S27+. According to Galaxy Club, the company is testing versions of both phones with a 50-megapixel Sony sensor in the main camera. If true, it would be the first time in years that Samsung has skipped its own ISOCELL technology for the primary shooter on a Galaxy S phone.
The report also reveals details about the ultra-wide camera on the two base models. While the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra are expected to get a 50MP ultra-wide, the standard S27 and S27+ will likely ship with a more modest 12MP sensor instead.
It is worth keeping expectations in check, though. Similar rumors about a Sony sensor appeared ahead of the Galaxy S25, and they turned out to be wrong. Samsung is also still in the early stages of development, so these specs could change before anything gets close to launch.
The potential switch to Sony is still worth watching. Samsung’s ISOCELL sensors have been a core part of the Galaxy S identity for years, and moving away from them, even on the base models, would mark a real shift in how the company approaches camera hardware. Sony’s sensors are widely used by competitors, including Google in its Pixel phones, and are generally well regarded for their performance in difficult lighting conditions.
Here is what we know about the Galaxy S27 and S27+ cameras so far:
- Main camera: 50MP Sony sensor (under testing, not confirmed)
- Ultra-wide camera: 12MP (down from the 50MP ultra-wide on the Pro and Ultra models)
- The Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra are expected to get a new 16MP front camera, possibly with a square sensor similar to Apple’s Center Stage setup on the iPhone 17
On the naming side, Samsung is internally referring to the four S27 models as NM1, NM2, NM3, and NM4. That appears to stand for ‘Next M’, a follow-up to the ‘Miracle’ codename used for the Galaxy S26 series. The NM4 label is slightly unusual since there was no M4 in the S26 lineup, but it suggests Samsung is planning a four-model lineup for the S27 generation.
As for timing, a launch in early 2027 is the most likely scenario. Samsung typically announces its Galaxy S series in January or February, though this year the S26 arrived a little later than usual. That pattern could repeat with the S27.
Pricing is also becoming a growing concern. Samsung has already pushed prices up with the Galaxy S26 series, and the recently launched Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8 continued that trend. With rising component costs across the industry, the Galaxy S27 range is unlikely to buck that direction. How much Samsung charges for the base models could matter more than ever if the spec gap between them and the Pro tier keeps widening.