Samsung appears poised to break a long-standing tradition in its Galaxy S lineup, as the Galaxy S26 Ultra may receive a long-awaited battery upgrade  -  its most significant in years.

A new leak suggests that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will come equipped with the highest battery capacity ever seen in a flagship Samsung smartphone.

For nearly a decade, Samsung has stuck to 5,000mAh batteries in its Ultra models, despite user calls for better battery life. But change is finally on the horizon.

Galaxy S26 Ultra may pack a 5,200mAh battery

Sources indicate that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will follow the current trend of becoming slimmer and lighter than its predecessor  -  a design approach that usually limits battery capacity.

However, Samsung is reportedly planning to increase the battery size to 5,200mAh, breaking the 5,000mAh plateau that has remained unchanged for years.

Even more exciting, previous reports also point to an upgrade in fast charging capabilities  -  up to 60W. The combination of a larger battery and significantly faster charging would mark a major improvement in user experience, directly addressing one of the most requested features in premium smartphones.

Pressure from Apple and the iPhone 17 Pro Max

Many believe this move is not just innovation for innovation’s sake, but a necessary step to remain competitive  -  especially after Apple gave the iPhone 17 Pro Max a larger battery matching Samsung’s previous benchmark.

Samsung’s delay in upgrading battery capacity has long frustrated fans, who feared the company had no plans to improve one of the Ultra series’ key weaknesses.

Some even speculate that Samsung’s decision to bump the S26 Ultra’s battery is a strategic response to Apple’s bold upgrade  -  a “defensive move” to maintain competitive parity.

Even if the change is driven by pressure, it’s still welcome news for users who will ultimately benefit from better battery life and faster charging.

Lessons learned from the canceled Galaxy S26 Edge project

Beyond competition with Apple, the canceled Galaxy S26 Edge project may also have contributed to this development.

According to leaks, Samsung hit the limits of current lithium-ion battery technology during the S26 Edge’s development. That experience likely influenced the S26 Ultra’s design  -  enabling the company to optimize the internal layout to increase battery size while maintaining a slim profile.

This approach contrasts with Apple’s philosophy. While Cupertino’s iPhone Air line focuses on ultra-thin design, the Pro and Pro Max models are bulkier to accommodate larger batteries and upgraded cameras.

Slimmer phones, longer battery life  -  the new premium standard

Though their design philosophies may differ, the battle between Apple and Samsung is creating a new standard: top-tier phones with longer battery life, without compromising on design.

If Samsung can indeed fit a 5,200mAh battery into a thinner, lighter Galaxy S26 Ultra, it would be a noteworthy technical achievement.

However, the tech community is even more eager for the next frontier: the shift to new battery materials  -  particularly silicon-carbon batteries, which promise significantly higher energy density than current lithium-ion tech.

Samsung has previously mentioned ongoing research into these next-generation batteries. Should companies like Samsung or Apple successfully bring silicon-carbon batteries to commercial products, smartphone battery life could be transformed entirely.

Hai Phong