Samsung galaxy s26 ultra charges faster: 60w charging arrives
Samsung has finally addressed
a long-standing complaint with the Galaxy S26 Ultra: charging speed. The new model boasts 60W wired charging, a significant upgrade from the previous 45W. But does this translate to a real-world improvement?Battle of the fastest chargers
To put the S26 Ultra to the test, I pitted it against rivals like the Pixel 10 Pro XL and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The experiment involved draining each phone to 1% battery and timing how long it took to reach 50% and a full charge in a controlled, 22°C (71.6°F) environment.
The results are in: The Galaxy S26 Ultra topped up to 76% in 30 minutes and a full charge in 49 minutes. The Pixel 10 Pro XL took 1 hour and 24 minutes, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max required 1 hour and 22 minutes for a full charge.
While competitors like the OnePlus 15 offer faster charging speeds with proprietary tech, the S26 Ultra’s 60W is a more practical choice. It delivers top-tier speeds using standard Anker chargers, avoiding the hassle of carrying extra cables.
The difference? 30 minutes to gain 76% charge. That’s more than enough to power through a demanding day. Samsung hasn't necessarily maximized battery capacity, but it has prioritized the user experience.
The real-world benefit of 60W is a feeling of effortless power. You plug in, and the phone quickly jumps to a usable state. It's a subtle but powerful shift. The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines a vital aspect of smartphone ownership.
The OnePlus 15, with its 7,300 mAh battery, achieves a full charge in just 45 minutes, but you’re locked into OnePlus’s ecosystem. Samsung offers speed and flexibility – a valuable combination.
Ultimately, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 60W charging isn’t about chasing the absolute fastest charge; it’s about delivering a reliable, versatile, and genuinely useful experience. It’s a pragmatic upgrade that addresses a real user need.