Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Tech Advisor highlights that Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Extremely might follow the identical 5000mAh lithium-ion battery used since 2020, lacking essential battery innovation.
- Rivals like OnePlus and Oppo now supply 7300-7500mAh silicon-carbon batteries that present longer life and quicker charging with out added bulk.
- Samsung’s reluctance to undertake silicon-carbon know-how might depart the S26 Extremely considerably deprived in opposition to rivals with superior battery efficiency.
Samsung delivers a brand new Galaxy S Extremely yearly, and every time, the mannequin will get tweaks comparable to a sharper digicam, a brighter show, and a extra highly effective chip. However the one space that desperately wants an improve is ignored every time – and that’s the battery.
Because the Galaxy S20 Extremely in 2020, Samsung has shipped the identical 5000mAh battery for all its Galaxy S Extremely gadgets – with no improve in sight.
And from the look of issues, that isn’t about to vary any time quickly. Reviews counsel that the upcoming Galaxy S26 Extremely that’ll be introduced on 25 February will comply with the pattern, sustaining the identical 5,000 mAh stage or getting a slight bump at finest to round 5,400 mAh.
That’s nothing near the leap we’d prefer to see, contemplating that different manufacturers supply 6,000-8,000mAh batteries.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Whereas Samsung and Apple have maintained their battery establishment, different opponents are quietly taking the highlight within the space they’ve chosen to disregard.
The current OnePlus 15 affords an enormous 7,300 mAh battery and the Oppo Discover X9 Professional packs an enormous 7,500 mAh battery. Whereas Samsung has chosen to go together with older battery fashions, firms comparable to Oppo and OnePlus have adopted newer battery know-how comparable to silicon-carbon cells that ship extra energy with out taking on extra space.
The lithium-ion battery concern
How precisely can Oppo and OnePlus telephones have larger-capacity batteries with out turning their telephones into enormous slabs? It’s all within the battery chemistry. In contrast to these rivals, Samsung nonetheless depends on typical lithium-ion cells for its flagship telephones.
It’s all within the battery chemistry
However its opponents have experimented with silicon-carbon batteries, which change a part of the graphite within the anode with silicon. As silicon shops extra energy than lithium, the cell can pack an even bigger energy capability with out occupying extra space.

Luke Baker
It doesn’t simply look good on paper; it feels that approach in actual life too. A silicon-carbon battery of the identical dimension as a lithium-ion cell means longer battery life and quicker charging. It means a full day or longer of watching films and browsing the net on a single cost.
In 2026, Android telephones shouldn’t solely be about superficial modifications
Samsung’s cause for sticking to the lithium-ion battery might be that silicon expands extra throughout charging, which may trigger swelling and cut back battery life. Even then, silicon-carbon batteries last more than lithium-ion, and different firms already use them, so it’s not precisely dangerous tech.
For Samsung followers, the report of the approaching S26 Extremely arriving with none important battery improve is certainly unhealthy information. In 2026, Android telephones shouldn’t solely be about superficial modifications that don’t imply a lot in the long term. They need to embody upgrades in areas that matter.
Quicker chips and higher cameras are good, however having a cellphone that may final all day on a single cost makes an enormous distinction to customers. The one factor that strikes Samsung is competitors and finally, the model could also be pressured to undertake silicon-carbon batteries in its future designs to essentially increase its gross sales. Till then, we simply need to make do with the 5,000mAh batteries and the minor bumps they’ll recover from time, identical to with the S26 Extremely.
Need to discover the suitable cellphone for you with the longest battery life doable? Take a look at our round-up of the perfect battery life telephones we’ve examined.

