Recent leaks confirm the base Galaxy S26 charging speed stays at 25W wired, dashing hopes for a 45W upgrade. This makes it slower than some Samsung budget phones like the Galaxy A56, which hits 45W. The “letdown” comes from conflicting early rumors, but the latest from tipsters like Ice Universe and certification filings point to no change for the entry-level model. Meanwhile, the S26+ stays at 45W and S26 Ultra jumps to 60W.
The base S26 sticks with 25W wired charging, matching the S25. That means around 55% battery in 30 minutes with its rumored 4,000-4,300mAh cell. No charger comes in the box either. Compared to Samsung’s budget A-series, the Galaxy A35 and A55 already do 25W, but newer A56 and A36 models launched in 2025 with 45W. Yes, a $500 flagship base model lags behind $400 mid-rangers on recharge speed.
Why Samsung Skipped the Upgrade
Samsung prioritizes battery health post-Note7, capping base models to avoid heat and swelling risks. The Ultra gets the juice as a premium perk. This strategy forces upgrades to the S26+ for 45W, adding $100-200 to the price tag. It’s smart for Samsung’s margins but frustrating for “flagship” expectations, especially when Xiaomi and OnePlus hit 80W+ at similar prices.
The good news? All models get Qi2 magnets with 15-20W wireless speeds, a quiet upgrade over past non-magnetic setups. Rumors also suggest a bigger 4,300mAh battery plus efficient Exynos or Snapdragon chips could mean similar all-day life despite slow fill-up. If you’re grabbing coffee and topping up, 25W means around 30 minutes for half charge versus 15-20 minutes on rivals. It’s annoying if you skip wireless pads, but Samsung seems to bet on endurance over sprint with the Galaxy S26 series.