Samsung Galaxy A27 5G Unveiled: Snapdragon Chip, 120-Hz AMOLED, and 6 Years of Updates

Philipp Briel
Philipp Briel · 7 min. read

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy A27 5G a mid-range smartphone with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display (120 Hz), a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip for the first time instead of Exynos, and a six-year update guarantee. It goes on sale July 3, with prices set at 349 euros (128 GB) and 439 euros (256 GB). All in all, it’s a subtle update to the Galaxy A26—with a few genuine improvements, but also some compromises worth discussing.

  • Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, Full HD+, 120 Hz, now with a punch-hole instead of a notch
  • Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)—replaces the Exynos 1380
  • Memory: 6/8 GB RAM, 128/256 GB, microSD up to 2 TB
  • Battery: 5,000 mAh, 25 W wired
  • Software: Android 16 with One UI 8.5, 6 years of OS and security updates
  • Price & Release: starting at €349 (MSRP), available July 3 in Black, Blue, and Light Pink
  • Cons: IP64 instead of IP67, ultra-wide-angle camera downgraded from 8 MP to 5 MP, about 50 € more expensive than its predecessor

More screen real estate thanks to the punch-hole

On the front, much remains the same—and that’s not a bad thing. The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel still features Full HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. This makes scrolling and animations feel pleasantly smooth—something that’s by no means a given in this price range.

The most noticeable difference from the A26 is the front camera: Instead of the teardrop-shaped notch, there’s now a small punch-hole centered on the screen. Samsung calls this the Infinity-O Display and promises even narrower bezels. In practice, this means a slightly cleaner, more modern look. According to the international spec sheets, the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. With a thickness of 7.8 mm, the device remains slim, and it weighs around 200 grams.

Snapdragon Instead of Exynos: The Real Sensation

The biggest innovation lies inside. Samsung is switching from its in-house Exynos 1380 to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, built on a 4-nm process. For many A-series buyers, this is likely the most interesting news—Exynos chips have repeatedly faced criticism in the mid-range segment, whether for efficiency or throttling.

It’s important to take a level-headed look at just how big this leap really is. Samsung itself cites roughly 7 percent more CPU performance and 8 percent more GPU performance. GSMArena classifies the increase as “slight” and estimates it at 10 to 20 percent. Without independent tests under sustained load, this remains just a number on paper. More exciting than the raw numbers is the gain in efficiency: A modern Snapdragon built on a 4-nm process can definitely make a noticeable difference in everyday use and battery life. The chip is paired with faster LPDDR5X RAM, which, according to Samsung, operates significantly faster than the memory in the A26.

Cameras: One Step Forward, One Step Back

On the back is a triple-camera setup with a 50-MP main sensor featuring optical image stabilization (OIS), complemented by a 2-MP macro camera. The main camera can record 4K video at 30 frames per second. So far, so solid.

The downside: The ultra-wide-angle camera has been downgraded from 8 MP on the A26 to 5 MP. The front camera, at 12 MP, is also nominally slightly lower than the 13 MP of its predecessor—though Samsung is using a newer sensor here that’s supposed to improve image quality despite the lower megapixel count. Megapixels aren’t everything, but a downgrade on the spec sheet is still a downgrade.

Awesome Intelligence: AI for the Mid-Range

When it comes to AI, Samsung continues to step up its game. The Galaxy A27 5G builds on the Awesome Intelligence features of the current A series. Circle to Search with Google now recognizes multiple objects simultaneously—so you can search for an outfit and matching accessories in a single image at the same time and even try on clothes virtually.

The Object Eraser has also been improved and removes distracting elements from images more cleanly. The transcription assistant in the voice recorder app now translates content directly during transcription, in 22 languages. Google Gemini and Perplexity are available as AI assistants, and Bixby is a new addition as a conversation-based device assistant that can be controlled using natural language. If you want to stay on top of the preinstalled Samsung services, you’ll find helpful tips in our guide to Samsung devices.

Six Years of Updates: The Strongest Selling Point

What continues to set Samsung apart in this price range is its long-term software support. The Galaxy A27 5G will receive up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades, as well as up to six years of security updates starting from its global launch. It ships with Android 16 and One UI 8.5 right out of the box. Security is ensured by Samsung Knox and hardware-based protection via Knox Vault. If you want to use an affordable phone for a long time, you get an update guarantee here that many competitors in this segment don’t offer.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

Feature Samsung Galaxy A27 5G
Display 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, Full HD+, 120 Hz, Infinity-O (punch-hole)
Dimensions & Weight 162.4 × 78.2 × 7.8 mm, approx. 200 g
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm), octa-core (4× 2.4 GHz + 4× 1.8 GHz)
Storage 6/8 GB RAM, 128/256 GB, microSD up to 2 TB
Main camera 50 MP wide-angle (OIS) + 5 MP ultra-wide-angle + 2 MP macro
Front camera 12 MP
Battery 5,000 mAh, 25 W wired charging
Operating system Android 16, One UI 8.5, 6 years of updates
Protection IP64, Samsung Knox Vault
Colors Black, Blue, Light Pink

Price, Availability, and Classification

The Galaxy A27 5G will be available starting July 3 in Black, Blue, and Light Pink. According to the MSRP, the 128-GB model costs 349 euros, while the 256-GB model costs 439 euros. This puts the A27 about 50 euros above the A26’s starting price at launch.

And this is where things get a bit tricky, to be honest: While the switch to Snapdragon, the punch-hole design, and the long support period are real pluses, Samsung has cut corners in other areas. The protection rating drops from IP67 to IP64—meaning the device is less well-protected against submersion—the ultra-wide-angle camera loses resolution, and the price goes up. Accordingly, the general consensus among the international tech press is this: a modern, well-designed mid-range phone, but not a must-buy for A26 owners. Still, if you’re looking for a new, affordable smartphone with a long-term update promise, this is the right choice for you.

The device will be available from the usual retailers—it’s worth checking out Amazon for a first look. Anyone interested in Samsung’s 2026 device strategy in general should also take a look at our article on the new Samsung TVs for 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G

How much does the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G cost?
The MSRP is 349 euros for the 128 GB version and 439 euros for the model with 256 GB of storage.

When will the Galaxy A27 5G be released?
It goeson saleJuly 3 in Black, Blue, and Light Pink.

What processor is in the Galaxy A27 5G?
A Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 built on a 4-nm process—the first time a Snapdragon chip has been used in this A series instead of an Exynos chip.

How long will the Galaxy A27 5G receive updates?
Samsung promises up to six generations of Android and One UI upgrades, as well as up to six years of security updates starting from the global launch.

What’s the difference from the Galaxy A26?
The A27 features a Snapdragon chip, a punch-hole display, and narrower bezels. At the same time, the protection rating drops to IP64 and the ultra-wide-angle camera is reduced to 5 MP—all for a price that’s about 50 euros higher.