Samsung Galaxy S26 could finally catch up to the iPhone when it comes to wireless charging — here’s how

SmartPrix renders of the galaxy s26 phones
(Image credit: SmartPrix / Tom's Guide)

Samsung fans could be in for some great news as, according to a recent leak, a long-requested feature may finally appear on the Galaxy S26 series.

Wireless charging has been available on the best Android phones for years, but actually finding a stable connection is a different story. Compare that to the snap-on ease of the MagSafe connection iPhone users have had since the iPhone 12 in 2020 and you can understand the frustration.

Galaxy S26 render

(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines)

On top of basic cases, there's also a magnetic wireless battery pack, which is listed with a capacity of 5,000 mAh and enables charging for the Galaxy S26 models via Qi2. On top of that, the report also seems to confirm other rumors that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could offer 25W charging speeds, while the other two phones may hover around 20W.

It’s not just cases that are mentioned, as the report does detail some of the other accessories that could be included with the phone. This includes an anti-reflective screen protector film for all models, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra may also have access to Corning's anti-reflective Gorilla Glass Armor.

Finally, the report states that the Galaxy S26 series will be released at the end of February 2026. This matches other rumors we have seen regarding the release of the Galaxy S26 series. Reportedly, the reason for the later release has to do with the weak sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge. These low numbers have supposedly caused Samsung to pause production of the Galaxy S26 Edge, including the rumored plan to release it instead of the Galaxy S26 Plus.

My take

Samsung finally committing to the Qi2 wireless charging standard would be great news for Android fans, but I wonder if it will be enough.

The issue is that, as we've seen in a recent leak of the Galaxy S26 series specs, much of the hardware for the next generation of phones will be the same. As such, Samsung is seemingly relying on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and charging speeds, as well as this magnet, to carry the phone.

If you're transitioning from an older device like an S22 or S23, you'll notice the difference, but those with an S24 or S25 in their pocket might not be convinced.

With that in mind, let us know in the comments if a true Samsung MagSafe alternative has you excited for the next generation, or if you're planning to wait for the inevitable Galaxy S27 instead.


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Josh Render
Staff Writer

Josh is a staff writer for Tom's Guide and is based in the UK. He has worked for several publications but now works primarily on mobile phones. Outside of phones, he has a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer. 

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