Put your mind at ease: the Galaxy S26 will not have magnetic charging

For months, rumors have fueled the hope that the next flagship series from Samsung could finally embrace the Qi2 standard in its entirety, integrating those magnets that have made Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem so versatile.

It seemed the logical next step, especially after Google introduced this technology on the Pixel 10 series last year.

However, the latest news dampens the enthusiasm: according to reliable sources, the Galaxy S26 will not have integrated magnets in the chassis.

Samsung Galaxy S26, another year with no integrated magnets?

The alleged design of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The alleged S26 Ultra – Credits: onleaks, androidheadline

The cold shower comes from the well-known informant Ice Universe, a source often reliable when it comes to leaks about the South Korean giant.

Through his social profile, the leaker categorically denied the previous rumors, citing independent sources that confirm the absence of a native magnetic system. Those hoping to attach chargers, wallets, or car mounts directly to the back of the phone without intermediaries will have to reconsider: to take advantage of these conveniences it will still be necessary to purchase a specific case equipped with a magnetic ring.

The S Pen issue and the competition

The S Pen issue and the competition

The decision by Samsung, although disappointing for many enthusiasts, could find a technical explanation in magnetic interference. Already with the Galaxy S25 Ultra it had emerged that using powerful magnetic accessories, even via covers, could disturb the S Pen’s operation, creating dead zones on the screen or inaccuracies in the stroke.

It is plausible that engineers have not found a reliable solution to make the strong magnets of the Qi2 standard coexist with the electromagnetic resonance technology of the stylus, preferring to sacrifice the convenience of direct docking in order to preserve the integrity of the writing experience.

However, this choice leaves Samsung trailing behind its direct rivals. While Apple has offered this solution since 2020 and Google has kept up with its latest Pixel, and even HMD had opened the way in the Android world almost two years ago, the Seoul-based manufacturer seems to proceed with extreme caution.

Although Ice Universe’s leak specifically cites the Ultra model, it is difficult to imagine the feature debuting on the base or Plus models, historically less likely to receive premium features before the bigger brother.

Charging speed and other consolations

Not all is lost for those waiting for the new Galaxy generation. While the native magnetic docking is missing on one hand, tangible improvements in energy performance are expected on the other.

Rumors suggest an increase in wireless charging speed, which could reach 25 W for the Ultra model and 20 W for the standard and Plus models, significantly reducing the wait times on the dock.

Also wired charging should receive an update, with the Ultra model credited with support of up to 60 W and the base model that could finally reach 45 W.

To support these performances we will have batteries of 4,300 mAh for the S26, 4,900 mAh for the Plus variant and 5,000 mAh for the Ultra.

To conclude, Samsung seems intent on introducing the “Privacy Display” technology and launching its own line of “Qi2 Ready” cases.