TL; DR
- The Galaxy S26 series could finally introduce silicon carbon batteries, pushing capacities to 6,000 mAh+.
- Apparently, Samsung skipped silicon carbon for the S25 due to lifespan concerns, but ongoing research could fix this by 2026.
- If successful, the S26 Ultra and S26+ could hit 6,000 mAh.
Samsung aimed high with battery capacities but played it safe. The S20 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh felt massive in 2020, sparking hopes for 6,000 mAh+ in future Ultra models. But instead of bigger batteries, Samsung focused on efficiency gains, keeping capacities unchanged while competitors pushed higher.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra stays at 5,000 mAh, the same as the S20 Ultra five years ago. The S25+ holds 4,900 mAh, and the base S25 remains at 4,000 mAh. Even the S25 Edge, launching in March-April, is expected to have just 3,900 mAh, making it the smallest battery in the lineup.
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In contrast, many competitors have been pushing battery limits—OnePlus, vivo, OPPO, realme, and HONOR have already introduced silicon carbon tech, and they’re consistently experimenting with higher capacities. Yet, Samsung seems reluctant to make any real changes, sticking to the formula that has worked for them so far.
6,000 mAh batteries on the Galaxy S26 lineup
But that’s not to say changes aren’t coming. As per FNNews (in Korean), Samsung’s long-term plan still involves bigger batteries, and 2026 might finally be the year where we see meaningful improvements. Reports suggest that the Galaxy S26 series could finally introduce silicon carbon batteries, allowing for a “monster battery” at 6,000 mAh to 7,000 mAh.
A Samsung official stated that while silicon anode material boosts battery capacity, it also has lifespan issues, which need fixing. That’s why Samsung skipped it for the S25 series, despite expectations. However, research is ongoing, and if improvements happen, the S26 lineup could finally see silicon carbon batteries.
If that happens, we could be looking at: 5,000 mAh for the base S26, 6,000 mAh for the S26+ and S26 Ultra, and around 4,500 mAh for the S26 Edge. That would mark the first real battery upgrade in years, breaking the cycle of minimal changes.
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What are silicon carbon batteries?
Silicon carbon batteries use a higher silicon content in the anode, improving energy density while maintaining the same physical size. This means larger capacities without increasing bulk. However, silicon expands during charging, causing faster wear, which is why Samsung is still working on improvements.
Any improvements in charging speeds?
As for charging speed, Samsung has been stuck at 45W since the S22 series, even as competitors push 100W+ charging. A larger battery (6,000 mAh+ in the S26 Ultra) would likely require higher wattage to maintain fast charging times. If silicon carbon technology advances, we could see a charging speed boost, too.
For now, though, the S25 lineup feels like more of the same. While efficiency gains from One UI 7 and newer chipsets might help battery life, there’s no denying that Samsung is playing it safe yet again. Whether that changes next year remains to be seen.
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