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Samsung is secretly prepping a speedy charging upgrade for its Galaxy S26 Ultra

With fresh evidence buried inside One UI 8.5’s internal code, Samsung appears to be preparing a long-overdue wired charging boost for its top flagship.

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The back of the Galaxy S25 Ultra Magnetic Charging Cover attached to the phone in the hand
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

What’s happened? The latest leaked version of One UI 8.5 includes a new charging label, suggesting the Galaxy S26 series could get a much-awaited charging speed upgrade.

  • According to an Android Authority report, the One UI 8.5 code contains references to “Super Fast Charging 3.0.”
  • Furthermore, there’s a new “level 4” entry in the code, strongly suggesting that Samsung is preparing its custom user interface for 60W wired charging.
  • The increased charging speed could benefit the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra (as it is rumored to get a charging speed boost).

Why is this important? For years, Samsung’s top-tier flagship, the ‘Ultra’ variant of the Galaxy S lineup, has stuck with 45W wired charging, while the competition has moved up to 80W, 100W, or even 120W.

  • For instance, the upcoming OnePlus 15, which recently received FCC approval, features a 7,300 mAh battery that supports 80W wired charging. Globally, the handset supports 120W wired charging.
  • An upgrade to 60W wired charging for the Galaxy S26 Ultra could be a meaningful and welcome addition, especially if the company decides to increase the handset’s battery capacity over 5,000 mAh.
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Why should I care? For those planning to upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, 60W wired charging speed could translate to significantly shorter charging sessions.

  • That means less waiting for your phone to charge, especially if you plug in on the go and need a quick power boost.
  • If you’re using an old Galaxy S series device, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, or the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the faster wired charging speed might encourage you to upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

OK, what’s next? Given that Super Fast Charging 3.0 has only been spotted in internal code, it could change before the official release.

  • Samsung might be limiting the 60W wired charging to the Galaxy S26 Ultra due to hardware constraints.
  • As the official launch of the Galaxy S26 series approaches, watch for information on first-party accessories, such as 60W adapters.
  • The Galaxy S26 series is also expected to debut with a magnetic ring in its back panel, making it fully compatible with the Qi2 charging standard.
Shikhar Mehrotra
For more than five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified developments in the field of consumer tech and presented them…
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