Samsung Galaxy S26 charging speeds: early certification points to no upgrade over S25
If you were hoping the Galaxy S26 lineup would finally bring a big leap in charging speeds, temper expectations. An early listing in China’s CQC certification database shows no model in the upcoming series surpassing 45W wired charging, including the top-tier variant. That directly contradicts earlier chatter that hinted at a 60W bump for the Ultra model based on firmware code details and insider claims.
Here’s what the certification suggests for the three model numbers spotted:
– SM-S9420 (widely believed to be a standard or “Pro”-class S26): up to 25W wired charging
– SM-S9470 (positioned as a lighter or “Air”-style S26): up to 25W wired charging
– SM-S9480 (expected Galaxy S26 Ultra): up to 45W wired charging
While this certification is specific to China, Samsung rarely splits core charging specs by region, making it unlikely that North America or Europe will receive faster-charging variants. In other words, the Galaxy S26 family appears set to mirror the Galaxy S25 series for wired charging.
This conservative approach won’t surprise long-time followers of the brand. Samsung often favors incremental hardware changes and longer component cycles over headline-grabbing spec jumps, especially compared to rivals that push triple-digit wattage. The upside to this strategy is typically better battery longevity and more consistent thermals; the trade-off is slower top-up times on paper.
What this means for buyers
– Don’t expect a dramatic reduction in charging times versus the S25 generation.
– The Ultra model looks capped at 45W, with the two lower-tier models at 25W.
– Any improvements this year may focus on efficiency, heat management, and long-term battery health rather than raw wattage.
– Wireless charging and overall battery capacity weren’t detailed in this certification and could still see tweaks.
A note on timing and certainty: certifications are a strong guide, but not an official launch announcement. Final specs can shift slightly before retail units ship. Still, certifications like these tend to be reliable indicators of core charging capabilities.
If fast charging is a top priority for you, keep an eye on official launch details and make sure to pair the device with a USB PD PPS-compliant charger to hit the maximum advertised speeds. For everyone else, the S26 lineup may emphasize stability and endurance over flashy charging numbers—very much in line with Samsung’s recent flagship strategy.
