Samsung finally moves to silicon-carbon batteries, but you are left behind

According to an official blog post, Samsung SDI has partnered with Korean automaker KG Mobility to develop next-generation battery packs for electric vehicles, focusing on advanced cylindrical cells.

The batteries use Samsung SDI's 46-series cells with high-capacity NCA cathodes and Silicon-Carbon (Si-C) anodes. The Si-C technology reduces swelling and extends lifespan, while a tabless design improves power output and fast charging. Enhanced thermal management and manufacturing processes also make these batteries safer and more reliable, aiming to deliver longer driving ranges and better performance for future EVs.

While that's great and all, Samsung is still reluctant to equip the upcoming Galaxy S26 family, for example, with silicon-carbon batteries, which are talk of the town these days. Sad.

Why are Si-C batteries so cool?

Silicon-Carbon (Si-C) batteries are seen as a significant upgrade over the standard Lithium-Ion batteries found in most smartphones today. While traditional batteries use graphite to store energy, these newer versions mix in silicon, which can hold up to 10 times more power than graphite alone. This allows manufacturers to pack much larger battery capacities (for example, 8,000mAh instead of 5,000 mAh) into phones that stay thin and light.

The primary benefit for users is a massive boost in battery life without the "brick-like" weight of older high-capacity phones. Beyond sheer capacity, Si-C batteries also support much faster charging speeds and perform significantly better in freezing weather, which usually drains traditional batteries instantly.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra remains at 5,000 mAh

Online, people have expressed their hopes for Samsung to embrace silicon-carbon cells, but current leaks suggest the S26 Ultra will stick with the same 5,000 mAh capacity used for the last six years.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to attempt a longer battery life by using the M14 OLED material for its screen. While the M14 panel has generated excitement, leaks suggest it won't deliver a major visual boost compared with devices like the iQOO 15, which fully exploit the panel's brightness, color range, and high-frequency dimming.

Reports indicate that Samsung is prioritizing power efficiency over peak display performance. To preserve battery life with its 5,000mAh cell, the S26 Ultra may limit the panel to 8-bit color depth, cap brightness at 2,600 nits, and use low-frequency PWM.

So, maybe 2027 is the year Samsung will try Si-C batteries for Galaxy phones. Maybe…