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Samsung pushed to add its AI features into the mid-range Galaxy A37 earlier this year, but it has just announced that it's going to be even more accessible with the arrival of the A27.
The Galaxy A27 5G sits at $499 and comes with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display running at up to 120Hz.
Samsung has also refined the Infinity-O punch-hole design, shrinking the camera cutout and trimming the bezels for a cleaner, more immersive look. At 7.8mm thick and 200g, it promises to be comfortable enough to use all day.
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip handles everyday tasks with more headroom than before, particularly for multitasking and gaming. The GPU has been bumped up for smoother graphics, and faster memory improves both speed and efficiency.
The rear camera setup includes a 50MP wide sensor with optical image stabilisation, a 5MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro.
On the front, the selfie camera has been upgraded to 12MP, which Samsung says captures a wider range of brightness and richer colours across different lighting conditions.
As with most smartphones over the past couple of years, AI is a central part of the pitch.
Circle to Search with Google now supports multi-object recognition, so you can search for multiple items in a single image at once, and there's a virtual try-on feature that lets you see how outfits look on you straight from search results.
Object Eraser has been improved for more natural-looking edits, and Voice Recorder can now transcribe and translate simultaneously across 22 languages, which is a solid addition for anyone in multilingual work environments.
Samsung has also brought Gemini, Perplexity, and Bixby to the A27 5G, giving users a choice of AI assistants from day one.
Bixby now functions as a conversational device agent, handling settings and controls through natural language rather than tapping through menus.
It's worth noting the IP64 rating. That means full dust protection and splash resistance from any direction, but it's not the waterproofing (IP67) you get on the A37 or the higher models in this year's Galaxy A lineup. It's fine for rain or the odd splash, but keep it away from pools and sinks.
On the longevity front, Samsung is committing to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades, plus six years of security patches.
For a sub-$500 phone, that's a serious software support window and one of the stronger arguments for picking it up over a lesser-known competitor.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED, Infinity-O, up to 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), Octa-Core 2.4GHz + 1.8GHz |
| Dimensions & Weight | 162.4 x 78.2 x 7.8mm, 200g |
| Rear cameras | 50MP OIS Wide, 5MP Ultra-Wide, 2MP Macro |
| Front camera | 12MP |
| Memory & Storage | 6GB + 128GB, MicroSD up to 2TB |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 25W Fast Charging |
| OS | Android 16, One UI 8.5 |
| Security | Samsung Knox Vault |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP64 |
Pricing and availability
The Samsung Galaxy A27 5G is available in Australia from July 3 in Black, priced at $499.
During an introductory offer period running from July 3 to July 30, customers can save $50, dropping the price to $449 at participating retailers.
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