The Galaxy S26 Ultra may feature the same 5,000 mAh battery for the seventh year in a row.
Is it too much to ask for some 1,000 mAh extra capacity?
The unchanged battery capacity in Samsung's Ultra flagship phones has drawn attention.
It appears Samsung has used the same 5,000 mAh battery in its Ultra flagships since 2020. By 2026, this will be the seventh consecutive year for this capacity, including models like the Galaxy S20 Ultra, S21 Ultra, S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra, and the anticipated S25 and S26 Ultra.
While a 5,000 mAh battery is respectable and can typically last a full day, this is the Galaxy S Ultra line. Back in 2020, the S20 Ultra already had a 5,000 mAh battery, surpassing rivals such as Xiaomi, Google, and Oppo:
Galaxy S20 Ultra Pixel 5 Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro Oppo Find X2 Pro
Battery capacity 5,000 mAh 4,080 mAh 4,500 mAh 4,260 mAh
It seems Samsung has been content with its battery performance since 2020.
While a year or two of battery capacity stagnation is acceptable, by 2023, the S23 Ultra should have seen an increase. However, this did not occur, and rumors suggest it will not happen in the future.
It's unclear why Samsung would equip its flagship with the same 5,000 mAh battery for seven years straight. One theory is that the consistent sales of the Galaxy S Ultra, with its superior screen, cameras, and overall specs, have disincentivized change.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has been popular, indicating continued consumer interest.
While a 5,000 mAh battery, paired with a efficient Snapdragon chipset, is sufficient for daily use, a larger 6,000 mAh battery could be considered for future models.
Phones with larger batteries such as the OnePlus 13 (6,000 mAh) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro (7,000 mAh) are becoming more common.
The Redmi phone, costing $200, is thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra, which cost over $1,000. Realme is also experimenting with 15,000 mAh batteries. While these off-brand phones may not be as popular as the Galaxy S Ultra, they point to a shift in the market.
The concern is not that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have insufficient battery life, but that Samsung appears reluctant to increase battery capacity. A company with vast resources should not be complacent.
Innovation should be continuous.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra Pixel 5 Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro Oppo Find X2 Pro
Battery capacity 5,000 mAh 4,080 mAh 4,500 mAh 4,260 mAh
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