Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra flagship is already attracting buzz ahead of its expected January 2026 release, and new leaks suggest some long-awaited improvements — notably, a larger battery and faster charging speeds.
Bigger Battery — But Still Behind the Competition?
According to a reliable tipster on X (formerly Twitter), the Galaxy S26 Ultra will come with a 5,500 mAh battery, marking a 10% increase over the 5,000 mAh cell in the current S25 Ultra. While this is a welcome upgrade, many of Samsung’s Chinese rivals like Xiaomi, vivo, and Infinix have already crossed the 6,000 mAh and even 7,000 mAh thresholds.
This discrepancy may highlight a competitive gap in endurance performance — especially in markets where battery life is a critical buying factor.
65W Wired Charging: Finally Breaking the 45W Barrier
Perhaps the more exciting news is that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to support 65W wired fast charging — a first for any Samsung smartphone. For years, Samsung has limited its flagships to 25W or 45W, while other brands have offered 100W+ charging speeds.
Although Samsung hasn’t revealed exact numbers on charging time, this jump could reduce full charge time to under 40 minutes. However, as with other Samsung flagships, a 65W charger will likely not be included in the box, and buyers will need to purchase it separately.
Wireless Charging Upgrade: Qi2 and 25W Support
In addition to wired speed boosts, Samsung is reportedly adding Qi2 25W wireless charging support. If confirmed, this would be the fastest wireless charging ever offered by a Samsung phone.
Qi2 is the latest wireless charging standard, promising more efficient energy transfer and MagSafe-like magnetic alignment, similar to Apple’s system.
Thinner Design Despite Larger Battery
Surprisingly, the S26 Ultra is said to be thinner than the 8.2mm S25 Ultra, despite its larger battery. Samsung appears to be pushing toward a sleeker form factor without compromising power — a notable engineering feat.
What to Expect
With:
- a 5,500 mAh battery,
- 65W wired and 25W wireless charging,
- support for Qi2, and
- a thinner body,
the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a flagship that balances power, speed, and design. However, Samsung will still face scrutiny over whether a 5,500 mAh battery is enough to compete in a landscape of increasingly power-hungry apps and high-refresh-rate displays.
