After months of speculation, it appears that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra will bring notable battery improvements. According to Chinese leaks, the device will feature a 5,200mAh battery, roughly 4% larger than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While not a massive increase, when paired with a more efficient display and a new chipset, this could result in longer battery life on a single charge.
Another significant upgrade is faster charging. The S26 Ultra is expected to support 60W wired charging, up from 45W on the previous generation. Wireless charging could reach 25W, likely via the Qi2.2 standard. There is speculation that Samsung may integrate magnets into the device for better compatibility with accessories, though it remains unclear whether reverse charging will return.
With these upgrades, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could charge from 0 to 100% in around one hour. However, when compared to competitors—particularly Chinese brands—the battery capacity is still modest. Many rivals offer capacities exceeding 7,000mAh, utilizing advanced technologies like silicon-carbattery cells. Examples include:
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Honor Magic 8 Pro: 7,200mAh (China) / 7,100mAh (EU)
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iQOO 15: 7,000mAh (China, India)
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OnePlus 15: 7,300mAh (Global)
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OPPO Find X9 Pro: 7,500mAh (Global)
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Realme GT8 Pro: 7,000mAh (China, India)
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Vivo X300 Pro: 5,450mAh (EU) / 6,510mAh (Global, China)
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Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: 7,500mAh (China)
While the Galaxy S26 Ultra may not lead in sheer battery size, the combination of a slightly larger cell, faster wired and wireless charging, and improved energy efficiency should make it a more reliable daily performer compared to the S25 Ultra.
