Samsung is finally turning up the speed on wireless charging for its next flagship phones. After years of capping its Galaxy S-series at 15W, the upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup is expected to deliver iPhone-like wireless charging performance for the first time.
Industry reports suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra will support 25W wireless charging, a sizable jump that could cut total charge times by roughly 40 percent compared to Samsung’s previous 15W ceiling. The standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ are said to move up to 20W wireless charging, bringing them in line with what recent iPhones offer via Qi2-compatible chargers.
This shift marks a notable change in strategy for Samsung. The company has been conservative with battery tech ever since the Galaxy Note 7 recall in 2016, prioritizing safety and longevity over headline-grabbing speeds. With the S26 family, Samsung appears ready to balance faster wireless charging with the safeguards today’s standards provide.
Apple added Qi2 support to its iPhone lineup last year, enabling up to 25W wireless charging on compatible pads. Some Chinese brands have gone even further, pushing up to 50W wirelessly, but Samsung’s move to 20W and 25W should offer a strong blend of speed, efficiency, and heat management without straying into extreme territory.
The upgrade reportedly won’t stop with the S26 series. The same faster wireless charging is expected to appear in Samsung’s next wave of foldables, including the Galaxy Z TriFold, before trickling down to more affordable models over time.
What this means for everyday users is straightforward: shorter top-ups, more convenient grab-and-go charging, and less time tethered to a cable. To get the full benefit, buyers should expect to use Qi2-certified chargers capable of delivering the advertised 20W or 25W speeds, as older or non-compliant pads may default to slower rates.
Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra early next year. If these charging upgrades land as reported, they will close a long-standing gap with rivals and make wireless charging a genuinely fast, practical option for more Galaxy users.
