Galaxy S26 Ultra's Charging Speeds: Faster, But Not a Game-Changer

The Galaxy S26 Ultra may be equipped with upgraded charging capabilities compared to its predecessor, but recent leaks indicate that its improvements might not be as substantial as expected. Despite boasting 60W wired charging, the real-world performance appears to fall short of delivering a jaw-dropping experience.

Rumored Charging Times for the Galaxy S26 Ultra

According to well-known leaker Ice Universe, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is purported to charge up to 75% within 30 minutes. This figure supposedly comes from internal testing carried out by Samsung under certain controlled conditions, details of which remain unspecified. Notably, this marks an increase in charging power from the previous model, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which supported 45W charging.

Samsung also recently released a 60W charging brick, suggesting that users can expect faster speeds with the new model. Despite this, the anticipated charging times do not paint an extraordinary picture.

Charging Comparisons

When we compare the S26 Ultra’s expected performance with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the figures show a modest improvement. The S25 Ultra charged from 0% to 68% in 30 minutes, while the S26 Ultra aims for 75% in the same timeframe. Given that both devices are rumored to utilize similar battery capacities—5,000 mAh or a slightly larger 5,200 mAh—the gains in charging time are rather meager.

In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with a battery capacity of 5,088 mAh, reached only 64% in 30 minutes during tests, which illustrates that although the S26 Ultra may gain a slight edge, the overall advantage is minor.

What Matters More: Capacity vs. Speed?

Final Thoughts: Samsung's Dilemma

While the Galaxy S26 Ultra may lead the market in wired charging speeds, the benefits present a dilemma for Samsung. In the quest for faster charging, are consumers willing to compromise on battery capacity or overall performance?