Samsung is allegedly testing Galaxy phone batteries, and someone is up there
What you need to know
- A report about the X claims that Samsung has started testing larger batteries for Galaxy phones.
- The tipster report covered the 12,000mAh battery and the 18,000mAh battery, although there was one in the 20,000mAh that failed in 960 charge cycles.
- Rumors last year said Samsung might have 6,000mAh to 7,000mAh ready for its 2026 phones, but that’s not the case, as the S26 Ultra still sees a 5,000mAh battery.
Unlikely: Samsung’s phone batteries could be better, and it seems tipsters agree, as reports say testing is underway.
Documents from Samsung’s alleged SDI have surfaced, courtesy of tipster phonefuturist on X (via Notebook Check). The tipster’s post claims that Samsung has documented its work on a 12,000mAh silicon-carbon phone battery, which could be included in a future Galaxy device. Specifically, the SDI documents were about the company’s testing of batteries to see if they worked—individually—and their potential lifespan.
Android Central Take
For someone who likes the Galaxy S Ultra model, I would like a bigger battery. The battery, as it stands now, isn’t bad (this is from the S25 Ultra experience), but it could be better. Check out what OnePlus is doing with its Glacier tech batteries. Look at any other international OEMs from China and what they are doing. It’s clear that Samsung is feeling the pressure. I’m not sure why it took them so long to do something about it, if this leak is to be believed.
A 12,000mAh battery is being tested which is said to use a “double stacked cell” design. Samsung seems to be pairing a 6,800mAh with a 5,200mAh battery to do this. The thickness of the stack is reported to be around 9.0mm. The file for this battery suggests that Samsung is still working to test its “cycle endurance target.” Currently, it says the battery can survive 1,500 charge cycles before dropping to 80% capacity.
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The tipster adds that the company is also testing an 18,000mAh battery with a “straight stack of three cells.” This will include batteries with capacities of 6,699mAh, 6,000mAh, and 5,257mAh. This will push things on the larger side, with dimensions measuring in at 12.3mm (and we know Samsung likes its phones smaller). The last suspected battery in the test is a large 20,000mAh battery. The tipster says this one failed in 960 charge cycles, so maybe this one will remain a dream for now.
Don’t worry, you’re just stuck in 2019
Looking back at last year’s rumors, there was speculation that Samsung could in the end find competition batteries. It seemed like we could finally come out in 2019 with bigger batteries. Reports say that the company has been working on using batteries ranging from 6,000mAh to 7,000mAh in its phones by 2026. Charging was not affected, but the device’s batteries were a major talking point.
Android Central Take
I feel like Samsung is so busy with its mini phone era, its AI phone era, that it is forgetting the important part. No one likes to drop their phone on the charger multiple times a day. The longevity of our devices keeps us feeling good, keeps us going without worry. Of course, Samsung’s Galaxy flagship has come a long way, but it’s clear that there’s a lot of work to be done. Batteries, first (and best), are a good place to start.
Unfortunately, as we have seen with the Galaxy S26 series, nothing it is different. The Galaxy S26 Ultra still rocks a 5,000mAh battery, leaving the base and Plus models with a 4,300mAh battery and a 4,900mAh battery, respectively. As mentioned earlier, companies like OnePlus offer large 7,000mAh batteries with 100W wireless charging capabilities. This not only extends the user’s time on their phone, but also brings them back to it quickly.
