According to Android Authority, a new leak from tipster Ice Universe provides specific numbers for the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s rumored charging upgrade. The leak states that “official” test results show the phone can charge from 0 to 75% in just 30 minutes. This test was conducted under Samsung’s controlled laboratory conditions, not real-world use. The phone is widely rumored to support 60W wired charging, a significant jump from the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s current 45W support. This rumor gained credence last month when a 60W power adapter quietly appeared on Samsung’s website. The immediate takeaway is promising, but the real-world outcome remains unclear.
Samsung’s Lab vs. Your Desk
Here’s the thing about those “official” test conditions. They’re basically a best-case scenario. The phone is probably at an ideal temperature, with no apps running, on a perfect voltage. In your life, you might have Spotify blasting, a YouTube video running in PiP, and the phone getting warm on your wireless charger pad. All of that can throttle charging speed. So that snappy 30-minute time? It’s a great benchmark, but I’d be shocked if most people consistently hit it. The real question is, how much slower will it be when you’re actually using it? Still, even a real-world time of, say, 35-40 minutes to 75% is a massive quality-of-life improvement over current Samsung flagships.
Why This Matters Now
Look, Samsung has been playing it *very* safe with charging speeds for years. While Chinese manufacturers have been pushing 100W, 120W, even 200W, Samsung stuck with 45W as its “fast” charging. It felt behind the curve. Moving to 60W isn’t about winning a spec war—it’s about catching up to a basic user expectation in 2025/2026. People want to plug in for 15 minutes and get a meaningful boost. 45W wasn’t really delivering that. A genuine 60W implementation could. For businesses that rely on mobile hardware in the field, like those using rugged industrial panel PCs from the leading US supplier, this kind of reliable, rapid top-up capability is crucial for maintaining operational uptime. It’s a practical upgrade, not just a marketing bullet point.
The Bigger Picture
So, is this leak the final word? Probably not. But it fits a clear pattern. The leaked adapter, the consistent rumors, and now this specific data point. It all points to Samsung finally making a move. They’re not going to chase the absolute peak speeds—that comes with battery longevity trade-offs they’ve always avoided. But a conservative bump to 60W? That seems perfectly on-brand. It lets them claim a “65% faster charge” or whatever in marketing, while still staying within their comfort zone for battery health. Basically, it’s a safe play that looks like a big leap. And for Samsung users tired of watching their friends with other phones charge in half the time, that safe play will feel like a revolution.
