Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Could Finally Break the Battery Barrier With Faster Charging & Bigger Cell

Samsung's next flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G, is shaping up to be one of its most exciting releases in years, largely due to long-overdue upgrades to its battery capacity and charging speed—features that have remained virtually unchanged since the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020.

After launching its latest foldables, new leaks now point to what fans can expect from Samsung’s 2026 flagship: a bigger battery, faster charging, a slimmer design, and notable camera improvements.

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🔋 Battery and Charging: A Major Leap Forward?

Samsung has kept a consistent 5,000mAh battery and 45W fast charging in its Ultra models from the Galaxy S20 Ultra through to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, recent leaks suggest that could finally change.

According to tipster @chunvn8888, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may come with a 5,500mAh battery and support for 65W or 66W fast charging — representing:

• 10% increase in battery size

• ~45% faster charging than current models

If true, this would mark Samsung’s first meaningful upgrade to battery specs in six years, potentially closing the gap with rival Android brands that already offer faster charging.

Another leak from @erenylmaz075 via internal One UI 8.5 firmware adds further weight, suggesting the S26 Ultra will support 60W fast charging — a significant leap from the current 45W limit.

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📸 Camera Upgrades: Sony Sensor to Replace Samsung’s?

Samsung appears to be revisiting its imaging hardware too. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature:

• A new 200MP Sony sensor (1/1.1-inch) for the main camera — replacing Samsung’s in-house sensor

• Improved 3x and 5x telephoto lenses

• A 12MP telephoto camera (up from 10MP on S25 Ultra)

While the full details remain unconfirmed, these changes could mark a noticeable improvement in image quality and versatility.

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⚙️ Performance and Design: Slimmer and Smarter

• Chipset: The S26 Ultra is expected to feature a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 SoC, possibly built on TSMC’s 3nm or Samsung’s 2nm process, and paired with up to 16GB RAM.

• Design: The phone is rumored to be slimmer than the S25 Ultra’s 8.2mm frame, potentially adopting a more refined profile like the past S25 Edge.

• Galaxy AI: The latest Galaxy AI tools such as Gemini Live and Now Brief will likely continue to be integrated, making the phone smarter and more responsive.

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🔄 Name Shake-Up: S26 Pro, Edge, and Ultra?

In a surprising twist, Samsung may ditch the standard and Plus variants of the Galaxy S26 lineup, instead launching:

• Galaxy S26 Pro

• Galaxy S26 Edge

• Galaxy S26 Ultra

Firmware references to devices labeled M1, M2, and M3 back up this claim. If true, it could signal a major shift in pricing and market positioning, with the “Pro” replacing the base model.

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📅 Release Timeline

While Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G, the device is expected to launch in early 2026, likely around January–February, following its traditional S-series schedule.

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📌 Final Thoughts

While leaks are still inconsistent — with some claiming the battery will remain at 5,000mAh, and others promising a jump to 5,500mAh with faster charging — one thing is clear: Samsung is under pressure to innovate. A battery boost, along with faster charging and camera improvements, could finally make the S26 Ultra a worthy leap forward.

Until official confirmation, these details remain speculative. Still, the buzz around the Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G suggests Samsung might be ready to break the battery barrier it’s held since 2020.

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❓FAQs

Q1. Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra get a bigger battery?
Possibly. Some leaks suggest a 5,500mAh battery, while others say it may remain at 5,000mAh.

Q2. Is faster charging confirmed?
Not officially, but leaks hint at 60W to 66W charging, a significant upgrade over the current 45W.

Q3. Will there be a design change?
Yes. The S26 Ultra is expected to be thinner and more ergonomic than the S25 Ultra.

Q4. Is Samsung changing the S26 lineup naming?
Leaks suggest the lineup could become: S26 Pro, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra, replacing the standard and Plus models.