Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Might Not Include the Major Upgrades You’re Hoping For

In recent years, major Android flagship devices have marked a significant increase in battery capacity, with one notable exception: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. This device maintains the same 5,000mAh battery that Samsung first introduced with the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020.

Reports indicate that Samsung plans to stick with this same battery size for its flagship model in 2026 as well. Advancements in battery technology, particularly through the use of silicon-carbide materials, have allowed other Android manufacturers to develop higher-density batteries.

For instance, the OnePlus 13 features a large 6,000mAh cell while maintaining the same thickness as its predecessor. Meanwhile, the more compact version, the OnePlus 13s, comes equipped with a 5,850mAh battery, which is smaller than the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s unit.

Despite these advancements, sources suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will continue to rely on the 5,000mAh cell. Some speculate that this decision may be influenced by regulatory constraints.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) classifies batteries based on their watt-hour ratings, meaning that devices with lithium-ion cells exceeding a certain threshold face additional transport regulations. Notably, the dual-cell design of the OnePlus 13 allows it to circumvent these restrictions, as each cell remains within the 20Wh limit.

Consequently, this regulatory factor might also explain why brands like Xiaomi often release smartphones with smaller battery capacities in global markets compared to their domestic models. If Samsung proceeds with a 5,000mAh battery for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it will need to optimize other aspects of the device to enhance battery life.

However, the growing power demands of modern components like the Snapdragon chipset complicate this effort. In addition, the camera system on the Galaxy S26 Ultra may also disappoint.

Reports indicate that it will retain the 200MP primary camera used in the S25 Ultra, though it remains unclear if this will feature the same sensor. Without significant breakthroughs in sensor technology, Samsung’s potential for substantial improvements in image quality may be limited to larger sensor designs.