For years, Samsung Galaxy fans have watched with a mix of envy and frustration as competitors, particularly from China, boasted about blazing-fast 50-watt and even 80-watt wireless charging capabilities. All the while, Samsung steadfastly—and puzzlingly—held onto 15-watt wireless charging for its flagship S-series, a standard that began to feel increasingly outdated. Even Apple, often criticized for its slow adoption of new charging tech, offers MagSafe charging that can outpace Samsung's offering.
But the wait for a truly fast wireless charging experience from the tech giant appears to be nearly over. A new report suggests that Samsung is ready to make a significant leap, with its upcoming Galaxy S26 series poised to finally close the gap.
The Wireless Charging Leap: From 15W to 25W
According to a recent report from South Korea citing industry insiders, Samsung has concrete plans to upgrade its wireless charging game across the board. The changes are slated for the Galaxy S26 series, expected to be unveiled at a Galaxy Unpacked event in January 2026.
Here’s the breakdown of what to expect:
- Galaxy S26 & S26+: These models are expected to see a welcome jump to 20 watts of faster wireless charging. This is a solid, if conservative, step up from the current 15W, promising noticeably reduced charging times.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: The true flagship is set to get the crown jewel of wireless tech. The report indicates the S26 Ultra will feature the current Qi2 standard maximum of 25 watts. This represents the most substantial upgrade and aligns Samsung with the latest universal standard for wireless power.
This move is a clear signal that Samsung is no longer content to lag in this critical area of user experience.
What Does This Mean for Your Charging Time?
The practical benefits of this upgrade are substantial. For a device like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, moving from 15W to 25W wireless charging is projected to reduce total charging time by up to 40%.
To put that in perspective, a full wireless charge that might currently take around 100 minutes could be slashed to approximately 60 minutes. This transforms wireless charging from an overnight convenience into a viable top-up solution during a busy day, making it far more competitive with the wired alternatives.
This significant development was highlighted in a recent industry analysis, which you can find in more detail here.
More Than Just Charging: A Powerhouse of Performance Awaits
The charging upgrades are just one part of the Galaxy S26 story. As was detailed in yesterday's announcements, the internal specs are shaping up to be a major generational shift, particularly regarding the chipset powering the devices.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is widely expected to be powered exclusively by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, ensuring top-tier performance for power users globally.
Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ are set to utilize Samsung's own Exynos 2600 chip in some regions. This is a particularly exciting development, as the Exynos 2600 is rumored to be Samsung's first 2-nanometer chipset. The new manufacturing process promises not only significant gains in power efficiency and thermal management (meaning a cooler phone under load) but also introduces several exciting, dedicated camera features that could push mobile photography to new heights.
Further insights into the performance and regional variations of the Exynos 2600 versus the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 can be explored in this comprehensive report from ZDNet Korea.
The Bigger Picture: Catching Up in a Competitive Race
Samsung's decision to finally boost its wireless charging speeds is a direct response to a highly competitive market. While proprietary systems from Chinese manufacturers have pushed the boundaries of speed, the adoption of the 25W Qi2 standard for the Ultra model is a strategic one. Qi2 is an open, universal standard based on Apple's MagSafe technology, which means future Galaxy users will have access to a wider ecosystem of compatible chargers without being locked into a proprietary system.
For a visual breakdown of these rumors and what to expect, tech commentator Jukan recently discussed the potential specs on his social channel, which you can check out on X (formerly Twitter). Additionally, a detailed video analysis exploring the implications of Samsung's 2nm chip and new charging capabilities is available here on YouTube.
The Bottom Line
After years of playing it safe, Samsung seems to be listening to its user base and the demands of the market. The Galaxy S26 series, with its promised 20W and 25W wireless charging and groundbreaking 2nm chipsets, is shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive and exciting upgrades in recent years. For fans who have longed for a flagship Samsung phone that doesn't compromise on charging speed, January 2026 can't come soon enough.