Samsung Galaxy S26 to update a key feature the series has ignored for years
Wireless charging will get a boost for the first time since the Galaxy S20 arrived in 2020, according to a leaked version of One Ui
Samsung is planning to give its flagship phones a much-needed wireless charging boost in time for the Galaxy S26, judging by evidence found within a forthcoming firmware update.
Android Authority noticed hidden code within a leaked build of One UI 8.5 a reference to “super fast wireless charging” that could go well beyond the current 15W speeds that pale in comparison to both wired charging of up to 45W for the top Galaxy S25 handsets.
It could also bring Samsung closer to rival Android manufacturers like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Honor and Huawei. The Xiaomi 15 Pro for example can reach speeds of up to 80W via the company’s charging stand, that can a summon 50% of charge in about half-an-hour.
If Samsung does launch a faster standard with the Galaxy S26 devices, likely to arrive in early 2026, speculation has suggested a 25W limit for the S26 Ultra, while the base model could offer 20W speeds. Not an overwhelming improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Considering the wireless charging speeds haven’t changed since the Galaxy S20 series in 2020, this would be long overdue.
Furthermore, rumours suggest Samsung could push the wired charging limit up to 60W thanks to support for the Super Fast Charging 3.0 standard for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
It’s about time Samsung did something on this front. Our Galaxy S25 Ultra reviewer remarked that: “I can’t work out if Samsung has wilfully ignored what the rest of the phone world is doing – particularly on camera hardware, battery capacity and charging speeds – or simply doesn’t care.”
Again, this information comes as part of a leaked unreleased built of the One UI 8.5 software. This could always change before the final build or be delayed til a later date, but it does seem like Samsung is finally doing something about its relatively snail-like charging speeds.
Chris Smith
