China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published registration data regarding the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S27 flagship lineup, indicating that the Galaxy S27 Plus model may lose UWB (Ultra Wideband) support for the first time in several generations. According to preliminary information, the Galaxy S27 series will include four devices: the base Galaxy S27, Galaxy S27 Plus, Galaxy S27 Pro, and Galaxy S27 Ultra. Meanwhile, agency documents list UWB support exclusively for the Pro and Ultra versions, while the base model and Plus version lack this technology.
What MIIT Data Revealed
MIIT registration materials are traditionally considered one of the most reliable sources of information regarding upcoming smartphones, as companies are required to list supported radio modules and communication standards. In the case of the Galaxy S27 lineup, the agency recorded UWB support solely in the higher-end Pro and Ultra models. This means the Galaxy S27 Plus, which has consistently received UWB starting with the Galaxy S21 Plus, may be left without this feature in the new generation. The base Galaxy S27, in turn, will not receive UWB at all, which aligns with its positioning in the lineup.
What is UWB and Why Users Need It
UWB technology allows for high-precision measurement of distance and direction to compatible devices, outperforming conventional Bluetooth in accuracy. In practice, this feature is used, in particular, for precise tracking of Samsung SmartTag trackers and similar accessories: the smartphone does not just report that a tracker is nearby, but points to its direction and exact distance. If the Galaxy S27 Plus indeed loses UWB, device owners will have to rely on Bluetooth 6.0 positioning, which is less accurate in determining direction and distance.
Strategy of Clear Lineup Differentiation
The lack of UWB in the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Plus may indicate Samsung's intention to more clearly differentiate devices by equipment level, keeping an expanded set of features exclusive to the Pro and Ultra versions. This approach allows the company to emphasize the value of higher-end models and motivate buyers to upgrade to more expensive configurations. Combined with other leaks, this indicates that the most significant upgrades are being saved specifically for the Pro and Ultra models.
Context: Other Changes in the Galaxy S27 Lineup
MIIT's UWB data is not the only change reported by sources. According to insider Lanzuk, writing on the Naver blog, the Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra models will feature a 16 MP front-facing camera, while the base and Plus versions will likely retain the previous 12 MP sensor that Samsung has used in its flagship series starting with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Additionally, storage leaks suggest base Galaxy S27 models will come with 256 GB of internal memory, while the Pro model will feature a 5,200 mAh battery. All this information is currently pre-release and may be adjusted before the official announcement.
Thus, the publication of MIIT data forms a picture where the Galaxy S27 Plus transforms from an "almost flagship" into a device with a narrower set of features, while key technologies—UWB and an upgraded front camera—are concentrated in the Pro and Ultra versions. Final specifications and the presence of UWB in each model will be confirmed by Samsung at the official unveiling of the Galaxy S27 lineup.
