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The Galaxy S27 Pro might introduce Ultra-level capabilities without the S Pen

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series has just been released, yet rumors regarding next year’s Galaxy S27 range are already emerging, hinting at an expansion to four models with the debut of a Galaxy S27 Pro.

As reported by the Korean outlet ETNews, Samsung has devised a strategy to unveil the Galaxy S27 series with four models, moving away from the typical three. The report indicates that Samsung intends to transition from a standard trio to a wider selection, adding a new Pro model alongside the standard, Plus, and Ultra variations.

I’m genuinely looking forward to this development. If Samsung gets the dimensions right and retains most of the Ultra features, this could easily become the preferred flagship for those who prefer a more compact device in their pocket.

The report states that the Galaxy S27 Pro will share many characteristics with the Galaxy S27 Ultra but will not include S Pen support. The specific screen size is yet to be determined, but it seems Samsung aims to develop a smaller flagship to rival the standard Pro-sized iPhones.

Additionally, the report suggests that Samsung might incorporate the Privacy Display feature from the Galaxy S26 Ultra into the S27 Pro next year, extending it beyond just the Ultra model.

This would represent the second occasion Samsung has ventured into a four-model flagship range. The Galaxy S25 series temporarily featured the Galaxy S25 Edge, which focused on slimness. However, the Galaxy S27 Pro is anticipated to concentrate on offering Ultra-level features in a more compact design.

Remember, Samsung was also rumored to rebrand the base Galaxy S26 to the S26 Pro this year, but that did not materialize. That variant was expected to maintain the same dimensions and specifications as the standard model. This time around, the Galaxy S27 Pro appears to be evolving into a genuinely new entry rather than merely a renamed version.

I wonder if Samsung is also positioning this as a pricing strategy. With rising memory costs and expensive components, diversifying the lineup could provide Samsung with greater flexibility to elevate Ultra pricing next year.

It’s still premature to ascertain what the Galaxy S27 Pro will encompass, but it could finally be the smaller Ultra-style flagship that many, including myself, have been anticipating.

Samsung Messages is set to close in July 2026, prompting users to transition to Google Messages.

A recent update reinstates the “Tap to see what’s playing” prompt on the lock screen.

What you need to know:
– Google eliminated the manual search button in March, leaving users frustrated when automatic detection failed.
– The latest update to the Now Playing app brings back the “Tap to see what’s playing” feature.
– The button initiates a cloud search, enabling wider and more precise song identification.

If you own a Google Pixel, you likely concur that Now Playing is one of those attributes that makes switching to another phone challenging. It’s simply impressive to glance at your lock screen and instantly identify that obscure indie track playing in a coffee shop, all without any effort.

However, not long ago, Google altered the interface in a way that puzzled many users. When the standalone Now Playing app was introduced in March, the manual search button disappeared, removing the essential tool needed when automatic recognition falls short.

The good news is that Google has responded. An update is being rolled out now that reinstates the “Tap to see what’s playing” prompt on the lock screen, as highlighted by a Reddit user (via 9to5Google).

Offline recognition is fantastic — until it isn’t.

For those unfamiliar, Now Playing utilizes a database on your device to identify songs, which aids in protecting your privacy and conserving battery life. Nevertheless, since this database only contains a limited array of popular tracks, it frequently overlooks less mainstream songs. The manual search button provides assistance by initiating a cloud-based search capable of recognizing nearly any song.

The latest version of the Now Playing app places the manual search tool back on the lock screen right after your phone fails to automatically identify a song.

Aside from that, 9to5 didn’t observe any significant changes following the update. This likely indicates that the release primarily focuses on background fixes rather than new features.

You can anticipate this update to become available on all compatible Pixel devices in the next few days. It’s a minor step back in the right direction, but for music enthusiasts, it’s the most noteworthy update this month.

Android Central’s Take

Honestly, I’m relieved that Google has finally resolved this, but there shouldn’t be a need for a commotion just to retain a basic feature. It’s aggravating to be expected to celebrate the return of a button that should never have been removed. It feels a bit like being asked to express gratitude for receiving back your wallet with half the money missing.