A rumored Galaxy S26 Edge design suggests Samsung may be adopting Apple-like design choices, disappointing some observers.

Why wouldn’t Samsung just make the Galaxy S26 Edge the best phone possible is beyond me, but that’s the timeline we’re in.
A battery advancement exists that offers more capacity in a smaller size, but Samsung will reportedly not utilize it. The company will instead continue using lithium-ion batteries, similar to Apple's approach.
Samsung was once known for innovation and taking risks. The company was previously at the forefront of smartphone technology, often experimenting with new features and technologies.
In contrast, Apple has historically been more conservative, waiting for technologies to mature before incorporating them into iPhones.
Samsung revolutionized the smartphone market with the Galaxy Note, while Apple took years to enter the large-phone category with the iPhone 6 Plus. Samsung has released the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models, while Apple has yet to introduce a foldable iPhone.
Samsung's strategy involved risk, and the company faced challenges such as the Galaxy Note 7 battery issues and the Galaxy Z Fold series launch. These incidents pushed the company to improve.
However, the Samsung of today resembles Apple. The Galaxy S26 Edge was expected to improve upon the S25 Edge and feature innovative battery technology.
Instead, Samsung is following Apple's lead by not adopting silicon-carbon batteries, which are changing expectations for smartphones.
Chinese manufacturers are embracing this technology and launching innovative devices. Oppo recently launched the Ace 6 Max with a 7,000 mAh battery. Honor released a phone with an 8,000 mAh battery in April, and OnePlus is rumored to use a 7,000 mAh battery in its upcoming OnePlus 15. Realme showcased a concept phone with a 15,000 mAh battery.
Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy S26 Ultra with a 5,000 mAh battery, the same capacity used in its flagship models since 2020. Apple is also maintaining its current approach, with the iPhone 17 Air potentially having a 2,900 mAh battery.
The world's two largest smartphone companies seem to be taking a similar, potentially disappointing path. For Apple, this aligns with their history of waiting before adopting innovative technologies.
However, for Samsung, this represents a decline, which is disheartening.
"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips" will be released in a few months. This book will explore the technological revolution of the 21st century.