Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra has been generating a lot of buzz ahead of its release, particularly because of the rumored 60W charging upgrade. The idea of a faster charging speed sounded like a huge leap forward for Samsung’s flagship, especially considering that the Galaxy S25 Ultra only offered 45W charging. However, new information suggests that the 60W upgrade may not be as groundbreaking as it initially appeared.
The Rumored 60W Charging: Not the Game-Changer We Expected
Samsung’s new 60W charger is already available for sale, and it’s been a topic of discussion as the launch of the S26 Ultra nears. It was initially thought that this charging speed would deliver a noticeable improvement in charging time, allowing the phone to reach 100% much faster than the S25 Ultra. However, recent charging test results from tipster Ice Universe have cast doubt on this claim.
According to Ice Universe, the S26 Ultra can charge from 0 to 75% in 30 minutes. At first glance, this seems impressive — but it’s actually only a slight improvement over the S25 Ultra, which was able to charge to 70% in the same time frame. In fact, some independent tests from other websites have shown even better results for the S25 Ultra. So, while the 60W upgrade may sound exciting, the actual charging speed improvement is fairly marginal.
Why Isn’t the 60W Upgrade That Impressive?
The new 60W charger sounds like a significant boost, but in practical terms, it’s not delivering much of a difference. The main issue is that the charging test results were obtained under lab conditions, which are often optimized to favor the performance of devices. In real-world conditions, the results might not be that different from the S25 Ultra’s performance.
To put it in perspective, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra already reached 70% charge in 30 minutes with its 45W charging. The S26 Ultra might charge 5% faster, but given that 15W extra isn’t much of an increase in this context, it doesn’t represent the massive leap we were hoping for.
Additionally, it’s expected that the S26 and S26+ models will not benefit from the 60W charging. The S26 is expected to stay at 25W charging, while the S26+ will remain at 45W charging. The faster 60W speed seems to be exclusive to the S26 Ultra, which makes this improvement even less impressive when you look at the charging capabilities across the entire S26 series.
The Battery Size: Another Unknown
One factor that could make the 60W charging a bit more impressive is the potential increase in battery size. Some rumors suggest that the S26 Ultra could feature a 5200mAh battery, slightly larger than the 5000mAh battery found in the S25 Ultra. If this is the case, the extra 15W of charging speed might make a more noticeable impact. However, if the battery size remains the same, the improvement in charging time is likely to be minimal.
It’s also important to consider that battery longevity is just as important as charging speed. Charging a 5200mAh battery at 60W may increase the charge time, but it could also have an impact on battery health over time, especially if fast charging is used regularly.
Fingers Crossed for Qi2
While the S26 Ultra’s 60W charging upgrade may not be the game-changer we were hoping for, there’s still hope for other advancements in charging technology. Qi2, the next generation of wireless charging, could bring significant improvements in charging speeds without requiring physical cables.
Samsung’s focus on wireless charging may be key to making future devices more versatile, with faster charging speeds that don’t depend on wired connections. However, for now, Qi2 remains an unknown factor, and we will have to wait for further details on its integration into Samsung’s foldable and flagship devices.
Not a Major Leap, But Still an Upgrade
While the 60W charging upgrade for the Galaxy S26 Ultra sounds exciting, it’s not the massive improvement that many expected. The increase in speed from 45W to 60W is marginal, and in practical terms, it doesn’t represent a huge leap forward in charging times. Nonetheless, Samsung’s foldable and flagship devices will still benefit from the faster charging speeds, and Qi2 wireless charging may provide a more significant upgrade in the future.
As Samsung continues to refine its foldable and flagship offerings, it’s clear that charging speeds are only one part of the equation. Faster processors, improved cameras, and innovative display technology are also areas where the S26 Ultra will likely excel. For now, though, the 60W upgrade may not be as impressive as it initially seemed.
