Samsung's Galaxy S27 Pro has reportedly surfaced in CAD renders with a redesigned rear camera section, a roughly 6.6-inch display and no built-in S Pen. Apple, meanwhile, is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro on September 9, 2026. If the current leaks hold, the two phones could represent very different approaches to the premium smartphone market.
The smartphone flagship race is getting interesting even before Samsung's next Galaxy S generation officially arrives.
New leaks surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro have reportedly given us an early look at a phone that could occupy an unusual position in Samsung's lineup. Rather than simply being another step between the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Ultra, the Pro model appears to be shaping up as a smaller alternative to the Ultra.
At the same time, Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is just days away from its expected September 9 unveiling. That makes the two phones an interesting comparison — even though Samsung's device is still months away and both sets of specifications remain largely based on leaks.
So what exactly is Samsung changing, and could the Galaxy S27 Pro eventually become a serious alternative to Apple's Pro iPhone?
Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro: The Design Leak
The biggest talking point surrounding the Galaxy S27 Pro is not its processor or battery. It is the rear design.
Leaked CAD renders suggest Samsung could move away from the separate camera-ring approach seen on recent Galaxy flagships and adopt a horizontal camera plateau across the upper section of the rear panel. The look is noticeably different from the current Galaxy S design language and has already prompted comparisons with Apple's recent Pro-series approach.
📐 A Smaller Ultra-Like Phone?
The Galaxy S27 Pro is reportedly being designed around a display of approximately 6.6 inches, making it smaller than the expected S27 Ultra. The leaked renders also show no dedicated S Pen slot, which would leave the stylus as an Ultra-exclusive feature.
🔍 What the Leaks Suggest
6.6-inch class display
A larger screen than a compact flagship, but smaller than the Ultra.
New camera plateau
The rear camera arrangement could be one of the biggest visual changes.
No S Pen slot
The leaked Pro design reportedly leaves out Samsung's integrated stylus.
Ultra-inspired hardware
The Pro could bring several high-end features without the Ultra's larger body.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro: Expected Specifications
None of these specifications have been officially confirmed by Samsung. They represent the current picture created by leaks and early reports.
~6.6-inch AMOLED
120Hz-class refresh rate expected.
Snapdragon / Exynos
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 or Exynos 2700 depending on market.
200MP Main
Reports also point to a 50MP ultrawide and telephoto camera.
5,200mAh
A sizeable battery is expected inside the Pro model.
Up to 16GB RAM
Storage could reportedly reach 1TB.
Android 17
Expected to arrive with Samsung's next-generation One UI.
Source reports differ on some hardware details, particularly the exact camera and processor configuration. Treat these specifications as provisional.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro Is Almost Here
Samsung's phone may be the more distant story, but Apple's next Pro iPhone is much closer to becoming official.
Apple has announced its September 9, 2026 event, where the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be unveiled. Current reports point to an A20 Pro processor, a 6.3-inch-class 120Hz display and a triple 48MP rear-camera setup.
🍎 Apple's Pro Formula
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to focus on Apple's usual strengths: custom silicon, computational photography, video performance and tight hardware-software integration.
Some reports also point to a smaller Dynamic Island, possible variable-aperture camera technology and Apple's next-generation modem technology, although several of these details remain unconfirmed.
⚔️ Galaxy S27 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro
Here is how the two phones currently stack up based on the available leaks and expectations.
Specifications shown above are based on current reports and leaks, not official product specifications.
💰 What Could They Cost in India?
Price is where the comparison becomes particularly interesting.
Current reports place the iPhone 18 Pro around ₹1.39 lakh to ₹1.40 lakh in India, although Apple has not yet officially announced the price. For the Galaxy S27 Pro, early reports have suggested a much wider estimate of roughly ₹1.10 lakh to ₹1.30 lakh.
iPhone 18 Pro
Expected India price
Galaxy S27 Pro
Early reported estimate
*Prices are estimates based on reports and may change substantially before either phone's final market launch.
🎯 Who Could Prefer Which Phone?
Choose Galaxy S27 Pro if…
- You prefer Android and Samsung's ecosystem.
- You want a large high-refresh-rate display.
- A high-resolution camera setup matters to you.
- You want Ultra-style hardware in a smaller body.
- You do not need an integrated S Pen.
Choose iPhone 18 Pro if…
- You prefer iOS and Apple's ecosystem.
- Video recording and computational photography are priorities.
- You want Apple's latest Pro chipset.
- You value long-term integration between hardware and software.
- You want a flagship available much sooner.
🔥 The Bigger Question: Is Samsung Changing the Pro Formula?
The most interesting part of the Galaxy S27 Pro leak is its positioning.
Samsung could be trying to give buyers something that has traditionally been difficult to find: a flagship with Ultra-class ambitions without the enormous Ultra footprint.
Removing the S Pen slot also makes the positioning clearer. Someone who wants the biggest screen, maximum camera hardware and stylus functionality could continue with the Ultra. A buyer who wants much of the flagship experience in a more manageable phone could potentially choose the Pro.
If Samsung gets the price right, the Galaxy S27 Pro could become one of the most interesting models in the 2027 flagship lineup — particularly for buyers who think the Ultra has simply become too large.
Samsung May Have Found an Interesting Middle Ground
The Galaxy S27 Pro is still a long way from becoming an official smartphone, but the leaks already suggest that Samsung could be experimenting with a more compelling Pro strategy.
A roughly 6.6-inch body, a high-end camera system, a large battery and flagship-grade processing could make the phone attractive to users who want premium hardware without moving all the way up to the Ultra.
The iPhone 18 Pro, meanwhile, is about to enter the market with Apple's latest silicon and its own set of camera and display upgrades. That makes the two devices an interesting philosophical contrast: Samsung appears to be pushing hardware flexibility, while Apple continues to tightly integrate its hardware and software.
Don't choose between these two phones yet. The iPhone 18 Pro is close to its official debut, while the Galaxy S27 Pro is still based on leaks. But if Samsung can deliver the rumored hardware at a competitive Indian price, its new Pro model could become a serious flagship contender when it eventually arrives.
❓ Galaxy S27 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro — FAQs
Is the Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro confirmed?
No. Samsung has not officially announced the Galaxy S27 Pro. Current information comes from leaks and CAD renders.
When could the Galaxy S27 Pro launch in India?
Current reports point towards an early-2027 launch, with February 2027 frequently mentioned as the expected timeframe.
Will the Galaxy S27 Pro have an S Pen?
Leaked renders indicate that the Pro model may not have an integrated S Pen slot, making the feature exclusive to the Ultra.
Which phone has the better camera?
It is too early to make a real-world judgement. The Galaxy S27 Pro is only based on leaks, while the iPhone 18 Pro has also not yet received its final public specifications. Megapixel count alone cannot determine camera quality.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro launching before the Galaxy S27 Pro?
Yes. Apple has announced its September 9, 2026 event, while the Galaxy S27 series is expected to arrive in early 2027.
The Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro and Apple iPhone 18 Pro details in this article are based partly on leaks, rumours and industry reports available at the time of writing. Neither device's complete specifications should be considered final until the respective companies officially announce them. Prices mentioned for India are estimates and may change.
Last updated: September 1, 2026