[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Samsung Electronics is reported to be considering adding a "Pro" model to its next flagship Galaxy S27 series.

PhoneArena, an IT-focused outlet, reported on Sunday local time that a four-model Galaxy S27 lineup for next year is being discussed, adding Pro to the existing Ultra, Plus and base models.

The Galaxy S27 Pro, which could be added, is expected to sit one tier below the Ultra. The biggest difference cited is the exclusion of S Pen support. The move is seen as a strategy to keep premium specifications while targeting users who do not need the stylus function that defines the Ultra.

On specifications, the Pro model could share much of the Ultra's hardware, the report said. It could include key flagship features such as a 200-megapixel main camera and a privacy display. It is still at an early development stage, and the display size and detailed configuration have yet to be finalised.

If a Pro model is added, Samsung's smartphone strategy is expected to change. The Galaxy S series has maintained a three-model structure of base, Plus and Ultra since 2020, and this would expand it to four. In particular, it is likely to create a structure to address premium demand by splitting it between Ultra and Pro.

The report said the shift is driven by an "Ultra concentration" trend. While the Ultra accounts for a higher share of sales than the base model, its high price can be a barrier for some consumers. The Plus model, meanwhile, is seen as little more than a larger-screen version and has been criticised for failing to absorb demand for high specifications from buyers who find Ultra prices burdensome.

Dropping the S Pen could also increase design flexibility. Securing internal space could allow a larger battery, a smaller device, or the application of a magnetic structure to support Qi2, a next-generation wireless charging standard, the report said.

Some still strongly argue that the Ultra model should keep the S Pen. The S Pen was a core feature of the Galaxy Note series and is now a differentiating element of the Ultra lineup. The industry believes Samsung may be considering a strategy of testing demand for a premium model without the S Pen through the Pro model while maintaining the Ultra's identity.

Whether the Galaxy S27 Pro is actually launched and its specific specifications are expected to be decided based on future product strategy and market reaction. If the lineup expansion materialises, Samsung's price and feature positioning strategy in the premium smartphone market is also expected to change significantly.