Galaxy S27 May Ditch Samsung's Own Display for a Cheaper Downgraded Panel

Samsung recently released the Galaxy S26 series with the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra. While the focus for the most part is on the Ultra model, the standard Galaxy "S" series phone is still the entry-point flagship of choice for many. Now, with the Galaxy S27 lineup slated for 2027, a new leak about the standard Galaxy S27 has shed some concerning light that might prove disappointing.

Samsung Reportedly Planning to Downgrade Galaxy S27 Display to Cut Costs

As per a new report shared by ZDNet Korea, Samsung is eyeing BOE to supply the display panel for the standard Galaxy S27, slated to release in 2027. If true, this will be the first time in 16 years the South Korean brand has broken the tradition of using its own Samsung Display division for every "Galaxy S" series phone launched to date.

Image Credit: Beebom Gadgets

The recently launched Samsung Galaxy A57 was the first 'Galaxy A' series phone to pivot from a sAMOLED display to TCL-made CSOT rigid AMOLED panels. Reportedly, even the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE will use TCL displays for the first time. Hence, it would seem like the decision to transition from in-house AMOLED to third-party vendors has been extensively considered internally.    

Now with the Galaxy S27 with a BOE-made display also joining the ranks, it won't be long till every Galaxy phone is transitioned. However, the report claims that this decision will only affect the standard Galaxy S27 model. As for the Galaxy S27+ and the Galaxy S27 Ultra, they will continue to offer the best of Samsung-made AMOLED 2X displays.

Image Credit: Beebom Gadgets

Hence, it indicates a clear differentiation that Samsung wants to create between its standard and compact flagships and the 'Plus' and 'Ultra' models. While the report has not mentioned exactly what kind of BOE display or light-emitting panel Samsung will use, we believe it to be the M13 OLED material.

For context, the Galaxy S26 uses an M13 AMOLED display, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra uses the M14 AMOLED panel. Now, with the Galaxy S27, while we do not expect the brand to switch to a lower-grade M12 panel, it might as well stick to the M13 material, used on top of a BOE AMOLED panel.

Recently, reports of Apple downgrading the iPhone 18 also came to light, and a major area of downgrade was also allegedly the display of the phone. Hence, going into 2027, we might see a rising trend of brands downgrading their entry-point flagship to combat the rise in component cost. With the RAM crisis showing no signs of slowing down, the future for flagship phones, especially the standard model, looks bleak.