Samsung Galaxy S27+ May Lose UWB Connectivity, According to New Leak

Samsung could make an unexpected change to the connectivity features of its next flagship smartphone lineup. According to a recent leak, the upcoming Galaxy S27+ may not support ultra-wideband (UWB), a technology that Samsung has included in its Plus-series flagship phones for several generations.

The reported omission would be notable because UWB helps compatible smartphones locate supported devices and accessories with greater precision. While the standard Galaxy S27 is also expected to lack the technology, its absence from the Plus model would represent a departure from Samsung's recent approach.

However, the information comes from preliminary certification listings, and the possibility of incomplete documentation means the final specifications could differ.

Galaxy S27 Series Leak Reveals Possible Connectivity Differences

Samsung's next generation of non-foldable flagship smartphones is reportedly expected to include four models: the Galaxy S27, Galaxy S27+, Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra.

A new leak suggests that all four devices have appeared on China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) certification platform. The reported listings provide an early indication of how connectivity features could vary across the upcoming lineup.

According to the leak, the Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra will support UWB, while the standard Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27+ may not include it.

If accurate, this would create a more noticeable distinction between the Plus model and previous generations. However, certification documents do not always provide a complete picture of a device's final hardware capabilities, so the reported specifications should be treated cautiously.

Samsung has not been confirmed to have officially announced these connectivity details.

Why the Galaxy S27+ Missing UWB Would Be Unusual

The absence of UWB from the standard Galaxy S27 would follow the pattern of its predecessors, which have generally reserved the technology for higher-tier devices.

The Galaxy S27+ is a different case. Samsung has included UWB in its Galaxy S-series Plus models since the Galaxy S21+, making the feature a consistent part of the range for several generations.

If the new leak proves accurate, the Galaxy S27+ could become an exception to that pattern.

Such a change might indicate that Samsung is revising the way it separates features across its flagship lineup. The reported Galaxy S27 Pro could occupy a more premium position between the Plus and Ultra models, potentially giving buyers another reason to consider the higher-tier devices.

However, the leak alone does not establish why Samsung might make such a decision. It is also possible that the preliminary certification information simply omits UWB support that will be present in the final product.

What Is UWB and Why Does It Matter?

Ultra-wideband, commonly known as UWB, is a short-range wireless technology that enables compatible devices to determine distance and direction with high precision.

Unlike conventional Bluetooth connections, which are widely used for wireless communication and general proximity detection, UWB can help supported devices identify where an accessory is located relative to a smartphone.

The technology is useful for several applications, including:

• Precise accessory tracking: Helping users locate compatible trackers and other supported devices.

• Directional finding: Showing the approximate direction of a compatible accessory when the phone and accessory support the necessary features.

• Device interaction: Enabling certain proximity-based functions between compatible devices.

• Digital keys: Supporting secure, proximity-aware access in compatible vehicles and other systems.

These capabilities depend on the hardware and software support available on both devices. Having UWB in a smartphone does not automatically provide every feature with every accessory.

How Could the Missing UWB Affect Galaxy SmartTag 3 Tracking?

One potential consequence of the reported change concerns Samsung's SmartTag tracking accessories.

If the Galaxy S27+ launches without UWB, users may not be able to take advantage of the same precise location-finding experience available on UWB-compatible Galaxy phones when tracking supported accessories, such as the Galaxy SmartTag 3.

Instead, tracking performance could depend on the alternative technologies supported by the phone and the accessory.

Bluetooth can help a smartphone detect nearby devices, but conventional Bluetooth proximity information generally does not provide the same directional accuracy as a dedicated UWB-based finding system.

This distinction matters when looking for a misplaced item inside a home, office or crowded space. Knowing that a tracker is nearby can be helpful, but knowing its approximate direction and distance can make the search easier.

The actual impact will depend on the Galaxy S27+'s final specifications and the capabilities of the relevant SmartTag accessory.

Could Bluetooth 6.0 Offer an Alternative to UWB?

The possible omission of UWB does not necessarily mean that the Galaxy S27+ would be unable to offer more precise proximity detection.

Bluetooth 6.0 introduces a feature called Channel Sounding, which is designed to improve distance measurement between compatible Bluetooth devices. In supported implementations, it can provide more accurate ranging than conventional Bluetooth signal-strength estimates.

If the Galaxy S27+ supports Bluetooth 6.0 with Channel Sounding, and compatible tracking accessories support the same technology, it could offer an alternative approach to measuring distance.

However, several factors remain uncertain.

First, the leaked information does not establish whether the Galaxy S27+ will support Bluetooth 6.0. Second, the presence of Bluetooth 6.0 alone does not guarantee that every Channel Sounding feature will be available or enabled. Finally, compatible accessories and software support would also be necessary.

For these reasons, Bluetooth Channel Sounding should be viewed as a potential alternative rather than a confirmed replacement for UWB on the Galaxy S27+.

Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra Could Retain UWB

According to the reported certification details, the Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra are expected to retain UWB connectivity.

If confirmed, this could make the Pro and Ultra models more attractive to users who regularly rely on compatible tracking accessories or other UWB-based functions.

The difference may also influence Samsung's flagship positioning. With a reported four-model lineup, the company could be preparing to offer more distinct choices across different price and feature levels.

Still, connectivity is only one aspect of a smartphone's overall value. Buyers will also need to consider the final prices, performance, cameras, battery life and other specifications before deciding which model is right for them.

Until Samsung releases official specifications, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about the complete feature differences between the four devices.

Samsung Galaxy S27+ UWB Leak: What Happens Next?

The reported absence of UWB from the Galaxy S27+ raises questions about Samsung's plans for its next flagship lineup. If the omission is confirmed, it would mark a notable change for a model that has historically included the technology.

For users who rely on precise tracking, the difference could matter when choosing between the Galaxy S27+, S27 Pro and S27 Ultra. Bluetooth 6.0's Channel Sounding may provide another option, but its availability and compatibility remain unconfirmed.

For now, the most important caveat is that the information comes from a leak rather than an official announcement. The certification listings could be incomplete, and Samsung may still change the specifications before launch.

Until the company confirms the final hardware details, Galaxy S27+ buyers should treat the reported loss of UWB as an unverified possibility, not a settled feature change.

Sources By Agencies