If you were hoping Samsung’s next Galaxy S flagship would finally break past its familiar charging limits, the latest signals say: don’t count on it. New certifications and well-placed leaks point to the smaller Galaxy S26 models sticking with 25W wired charging, while the top-tier Ultra once again caps out at 45W.
That approach keeps Samsung in a conservative lane just as many rivals push peak wattage ever higher. It’s a strategy that prioritizes battery longevity and universal charger compatibility, but it also means headline-grabbing speed gains are unlikely this generation.
What the latest filings and leaks show
Industry leaker Ice Universe, known for accurate Samsung scoops, has indicated that the smaller S26 variants will remain at 25W. Meanwhile, device certifications in China’s 3C database—spotted by independent watchers—list power profiles that translate to a 45W ceiling for the S26 Ultra via USB Power Delivery with PPS. The supported voltage and current combinations outlined in those documents align with previous Samsung implementations, not an entirely new fast-charge architecture.
Put simply, we’re looking at a repeat of Samsung’s existing split: mainstream models with 25W and the Ultra with 45W, assuming regional hardware doesn’t diverge. Samsung has used this formula since moving its Ultra tier to 45W a few generations ago, and there’s no compelling evidence yet that the company will jump beyond it for S26.
Even if final retail devices can optimize ramp-up and thermal management a bit, the practical gains are likely to be incremental. Expect a similar pattern to recent years: the Ultra hits a strong initial burst to get you a meaningful top-up in half an hour, while the smaller phones emphasize a gentler, steadier curve.
How it stacks up against rivals
On raw numbers, Samsung’s approach looks conservative. Performance-focused brands from China commonly offer 80W to 120W wired charging—and sometimes even more—regularly delivering near-empty to full in 25–35 minutes in independent lab tests. By contrast, recent Samsung Ultra models with 45W tend to land closer to an hour for a complete fill in third-party measurements, while the 25W tier often takes longer.
Against mainstream Western rivals, though, Samsung’s stance is less of an outlier. Apple’s recent iPhones hover around the mid-20-watt range for wired charging, and Google’s flagship phones typically sit in the high-20s to low-30s depending on the charger and conditions. In that context, Samsung’s 45W Ultra remains competitive, while the smaller models feel cautious rather than archaic.
The wild card is wireless. The industry is consolidating around USB PD for wired power and Qi2 for magnetic wireless alignment. If Samsung leans harder into Qi2 with efficient thermal design, it could improve day-to-day convenience without changing the wired headline figure—though nothing concrete suggests a major wireless leap for S26 yet.
Why Samsung might be holding back
Fast charging isn’t just a number; it’s a balancing act. Higher wattage creates more heat and can accelerate battery wear if not managed carefully. Samsung has publicly emphasized battery safety, longevity, and consistent performance across its global lineup—priorities that align with sticking to USB PD/PPS rather than adopting highly customized, proprietary charge pumps.
There’s also regulatory and regional complexity. Global certification, charger interoperability, and differing power standards add friction to rolling out ultra-fast solutions everywhere. Keeping a unified 25W/45W strategy simplifies validation and support, and it avoids customer confusion about which charger unlocks which speed in which market.
Finally, Samsung has been investing in efficiency and endurance rather than optics. Improvements to adaptive charging curves, tighter thermal envelopes, and larger battery capacities can make a phone “feel” faster to refuel during short top-ups, even if the spec sheet wattage doesn’t move. Many users plug in for 15–30 minutes; if software-driven ramping hits a high early plateau safely, the practical experience can still be solid.
What this means for buyers
If you value the absolute quickest 0–100% times, there are competitors that will likely outpace the Galaxy S26 family on wired charging. Power users who live on short, frequent bursts will see more dramatic gains with 80W–120W systems, provided they use the specific bundled chargers.
If, however, you care more about battery health over years of use, predictable behavior with standard USB PD chargers, and strong efficiency, Samsung’s approach remains defensible. The Ultra tier’s 45W can still deliver a meaningful jump in a lunch-break top-up, and the smaller models should benefit from refined charging algorithms even if their 25W ceiling doesn’t change.
Bottom line: expectations for a big charging-speed leap on Galaxy S26 should be tempered. Unless Samsung surprises late in the cycle, the company appears poised to stick with what it knows—prioritizing consistency and longevity over headline-grabbing wattage, even as rivals keep pushing the limits.