Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to feature a significant upgrade in charging speed. 
A recent leak from the One UI 8.5 firmware has confirmed that the next flagship will support 60W fast charging, a noticeable boost from the current 45W standard.
While 60W may not seem groundbreaking when compared to some budget smartphones that charge faster, it’s still a solid step forward. This will allow for quicker top-ups, making the device more appealing for users who need fast power boosts during busy days.
However, despite this charging improvement, the S26 Ultra will retain its 5,000 mAh battery. This decision, likely driven by regulations, is somewhat disappointing considering the advancements in battery tech. Competing devices, especially those using silicon-carbon batteries, are already shipping with significantly larger battery capacities, like 7,500 mAh and even 8,000 mAh. There are also rumors of a 10,000 mAh battery arriving next year, further highlighting the missed opportunity for Samsung.
Despite this, the faster charging is intended to compensate for the smaller battery size. This move is undoubtedly an acknowledgment of the pressure Samsung faces from other manufacturers in the battery department. Meanwhile, Apple is also focusing on improving its own battery strategies. Apple’s approach involves making their devices thicker for better performance, but if you’re not a fan of that, you can always opt for the iPhone 17 Air, which has a much smaller 2,800 mAh battery.
The ultimate hope for both Apple and Samsung fans is for both companies to move toward silicon-carbon batteries. These batteries don’t last as long as traditional Li-ion batteries but offer much higher capacities in the same physical space. As both companies face battery challenges, this shift could be the key to better performance.