The Galaxy S27 Plus could break nearly six years of tradition with this downgrade

Samsung gave its phones a useful sense of direction when it introduced ultra-wideband (UWB) on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The technology promised easier ways to find belongings and the ability to unlock compatible cars without reaching for your phone. Now, the Galaxy S27 Plus could lose that hardware, breaking a streak that began with the S21 Plus.

According to leaker Abhishek Yadav on X, Chinese MIIT certifications list UWB for the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra, but omit it from the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus. That would be business as usual for the base model, since Samsung has consistently left UWB out of its standard Galaxy S phones. It would, however, mark an unexpected downgrade for the Plus after years of support. But these filings don’t establish Samsung’s final global specifications, so the removal remains unconfirmed.

For anyone who uses compatible trackers, this would be a problem. Samsung’s SmartTag 3 can use Bluetooth Channel Sounding to provide distance and directional guidance, while UWB adds greater precision up close. Dropping UWB could mean sacrificing that extra accuracy. It remains unclear whether the S27 Plus will support the Bluetooth alternative.

The potential loss also extends beyond Samsung’s accessories. Google’s upcoming Pixel Tag offers precision finding through Find Hub, with Google explicitly requiring a compatible UWB-equipped Android device for that feature.

Then there’s your driveway. On supported vehicles, UWB enables hands-free unlocking while your phone stays in your pocket. NFC digital keys still work on compatible phones and cars, but require you to hold your phone near a reader.

Samsung is extending that convenience to your front door, too. Samsung Wallet’s Digital Home Key supports hands-free access through UWB on compatible phones and smart locks. Availability varies by model and region, but removing UWB could cut Plus buyers off from that option.

This follows reports that the S27 Plus won’t get faster wired charging and will apparently miss out on the selfie-camera upgrade tipped for the Pro and Ultra. Together, these leaks suggest a widening gap within the lineup.

Samsung hasn’t confirmed the removal. Still, losing an existing capability just as more everyday uses arrive would be a particularly frustrating way to distinguish the Plus from the Pro.