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Samsung Galaxy S26 battery and charging: Everything you need to know

From new display tech to exciting charging upgrades, the S26 lineup is bringing lots to the battery life and charging table.

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By Aleksandar Anastasov

Updated: Jan 06, 2026, 6:59 AM

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Samsung

The Galaxy S25 and S24 for illustrative purposes. | Image Credit — PhoneArena

Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy S26 lineup is on the horizon, and this time the changes might be more than skin-deep. Apart from the AI-powered software upgrades, display improvements, and a new Snapdragon chip, Samsung is said to be focusing heavily on battery efficiency and a better charging experience.

Some of the changes that have been rumored include modest battery capacity increases, Qi 2.2 magnetic wireless charging, and faster wired charging speeds on select models.

This generation will reportedly include the Galaxy S26 (or S26 Pro), Galaxy S26 Plus, Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the ultra-slim Galaxy S26 Edge.

Here’s what to expect from each model when it comes to battery life and charging.

Will the Galaxy S26 have better battery life?

Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus

Moderately, yes.

Samsung is rumored to bump the base model’s battery to 4,300 mAh (up from 4,000 mAh on the S25), while the S26 Plus is expected to retain its 4,900 mAh capacity. Both phones will gain efficiency from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Exynos 2600 chipsets (both are built on a 3 nm process) and the new M14 OLED panels, which promise lower power draw and improved efficiency.

Unlike some Chinese rivals that are already adopting silicon-carbon battery technology, Samsung appears to be sticking with more traditional battery designs for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. As a result, capacity will likely remain relatively conservative.

Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Ultra is still expected to offer the longest battery life in the lineup, but recent certification listings suggest that the battery capacity will remain at 5,000 mAh, rather than the 5,200 mAh it was rumored to have earlier. As a result, any gains in battery life are likely to come primarily from higher efficiency. The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s battery life improvements are therefore expected to be mostly insignificant.

Galaxy S26 Edge

The Edge is all about thinness. It's rumored to measure just 5.5 mm at its slimmest point, so battery life will remain its greatest challenge.

That said, Samsung may squeeze in a 4,200 mAh cell (versus 3,900 mAh on the S25 Edge). Coupled with the same efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and AI-optimized power management, the S26 Edge should last noticeably longer than its predecessor without sacrificing its ultra-slim profile.

How much battery will the Galaxy S26 have?

Model	Expected Battery Capacity*
Galaxy S26	4,300 mAh
Galaxy S26 Plus	4,900 mAh
Galaxy S26 Ultra	5,000 mAh
Galaxy S26 Edge	4,200 mAh

*expected/rumored

Will the Galaxy S26 have wireless charging?

Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus

Yes, both are expected to feature Qi 2.2 wireless charging at 20W (up from 15W). This year, built-in magnets should enable full auto-alignment with MagSafe-style Qi 2.2 chargers and accessories, a step up from the “Qi2 ready” state of the S25 series.

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Qi 2.2 is also coming to the Ultra, bringing better charging efficiency and less heat generation, which is key for a phone with a vapor-cooled aluminum unibody.

Wireless charging speeds are rumored to increase from 15W to 25W via Qi 2.2, marking Samsung’s first meaningful wireless charging speed upgrade in several years, even as the feature becomes less exclusive across the S26 lineup.

Galaxy S26 Edge

Yes, and here the upgrade matters most. The S26 Edge is expected to be the first super-slim Galaxy with built-in magnets for full Qi 2.2 charging, supporting up to 15 W wirelessly—a big step for a phone this thin.

Will the Galaxy S26 have reverse wireless charging?

Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus

Yes. Wireless PowerShare (5W) is expected to return. It’s handy for charging earbuds or a watch in a pinch.

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Absolutely. The Ultra will still have Wireless PowerShare at 5W, just like the base model.

Galaxy S26 Edge

Unclear. While the S26 Edge is rumored to come with wireless charging, we still don't have any information on whether it will feature reverse wireless charging too.

What charger will the Galaxy S26 use?

Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus

Both phones will probably support USB Power Delivery (PD 3.0 with PPS), so you can use Samsung’s own Super Fast Chargers or third-party PD/PPS adapters from Anker or Ugreen.

S26: 25W max
S26 Plus: 45W max

No charger in the box, as usual—just a USB-C cable.

Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is strongly expected to support 60W wired charging, following the appearance of a Samsung-listed 60W USB Power Delivery (PD 3.1) charger. While there's no evidence of the new charging speeds yet, the existence of first-party charging hardware makes 60 W the most likely outcome. The phone should remain compatible with standard PD/PPS chargers, though peak speeds will likely require Samsung’s own adapter.

Galaxy S26 Edge

The Edge will likely still be limited to 25W wired charging. You can use Samsung’s 45W Super Fast Charger or any good PD/PPS charger, though the Galaxy S26 Edge will draw a maximum of 25W.

How fast will the Galaxy S26 charge?

Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus

S26: 50% in ~30 minutes (25W)
S26 Plus: 60% in ~30 minutes (45W)

Wireless charging at 20W should reach 100% faster than before, though it is difficult to estimate by how much exactly.

Galaxy S26 Ultra

If the 60W rumor is accurate, the S26 Ultra should charge significantly faster than the S25 Ultra, potentially cutting the time for a full charge by a significant amount.

Wireless charging is rumored to upgrade to 25W, which should make it noticeably faster than the S25 Ultra’s 15W.

Galaxy S26 Edge

The S26 Edge should reach 50% in around 30 minutes (the S25 Edge reached 59% in 30 minutes, but it has a smaller battery). Wireless charging (15W) might take around 2 hours and 10–15 minutes for a full charge.

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Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.

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