Galaxy S26 Ultra: Why 25W Wireless Charging Is the Real Game Changer

Samsung has updated the charging capabilities of its latest flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, introducing 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging. While the wired charging speed represents a move past the previous 45W ceiling, early user reports suggest the upgrade to wireless charging is having a more significant impact on daily device usage.

According to reporting from SamMobile, the increase from 15W to 25W wireless charging has made the technology a practical primary charging method rather than a convenience. In practical testing, a 25W wireless charger can bring the Galaxy S26 Ultra to a charge level of slightly over 40% in 30 minutes.

This wireless speed is now equivalent to the wired charging speeds found on other Samsung flagships, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Qi 2.2 and Technical Implementation

The increase in speed is facilitated by the adoption of the Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard. As reported by Geeky Gadgets, this standard introduces magnetic alignment technology designed to improve efficiency and compatibility with accessories.

The integration of Qi 2.2 is intended to reduce heat buildup and inefficiencies caused by misalignment between the device and the charger. While the Ultra model reaches 25W, the standard Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus models have also received upgrades, offering 20W wireless charging.

Hardware Requirements for Peak Speeds

Achieving the advertised 25W wireless charging speed requires specific hardware configurations. Because the Galaxy S26 Ultra features vertically arranged camera lenses that extend further down the chassis, square charging pads may cause alignment issues. Users are advised to use round charging pads to ensure the phone sits flat.

Power delivery is another critical factor. the wireless charging pad must be powered by a wired charger of at least 45W. If a lower-wattage power brick is used, the phone will default to 15W charging.

the Galaxy S26 Ultra does not contain built-in magnets. To achieve proper alignment with Qi 2.2 chargers, users must utilize a magnetic case.

Reports of Charging Inconsistencies

Despite the technical specifications, some early adopters have reported difficulties reaching the 25W top speed. PCMag reports that these issues often stem from the interaction between the phone, the case, and the charger.

Third-party accessory manufacturer Dbrand conducted internal testing using Samsung’s official Magnet Wireless Charger paired with a 45W Travel Adapter. Dbrand tested four official Samsung cases: the Slim Magnet, Rugged Magnet, Clear Magnet, and Silicone Magnet. In these tests, all four official cases limited charging speeds to 15W.

Dbrand attributed this limitation to what they described as a proprietary handshake that is seemingly elusive with Qi2.2.

This was not a challenge with existing Qi2.0 standards, but is seemingly elusive with Qi2.2.

Dbrand

Dbrand suggested the limitation could be a deliberate gate implemented by Samsung or the Wireless Power Consortium, or it could be indicative of teething pains from a new standard being introduced.

However, these findings are not universal. Some customers have reported successfully reaching 25W speeds when using official Samsung accessories, and other tests with three different third-party cases have also successfully reached the 25W threshold.