This Might Be Why Samsung Is Playing It Safe With Battery Size

Lately, rumors have suggested that the Galaxy S26 Ultra might pack a 5,400mAh battery. However, as more details come to light, it’s becoming somewhat clear that Samsung is unlikely to push past 5,000mAh. Bit by bit, Samsung’s plans are taking shape. And unfortunately, a larger battery doesn’t seem to be on the menu. The ghost of the Galaxy Note 7 still lingers in the background.

The Galaxy Note 7 fiasco was nothing short of a nightmare. Even the so-called safe replacements, marked with green battery bars, couldn’t save the day; one even reportedly caught fire on a plane. That debacle left deep scars, and it’s easy to see why Samsung has been walking on eggshells ever since when it comes to bigger batteries.

The Galaxy Note 7 situation might explain it better, and here we go.

Galaxy Note 7 still casts a shadow

For five generations, starting with the Galaxy S20 Ultra, Samsung has kept the Ultra model’s battery at 5,000mAh. The company seems unwilling to experiment with larger cells that could compromise safety. The Galaxy Note 7’s reputation even extended into pop culture. In GTA V, someone modded the phone to act as an in-game explosive. Samsung reportedly took the video down, though it quickly resurfaced.

Internally, Samsung has reportedly considered a larger battery under an initiative better known as Project: “Mega-Cell”. Reports suggest the goal is between 5,400mAh and 5,500mAh, with many supporting the idea. Unfortunately, certification listings indicate the Galaxy S26 Ultra will stick with the same 5,000mAh capacity.

Moreover, battery capacity isn’t the only area where Samsung shows reluctance to improve. For example, charging speeds will likely stay at 45W. Although unconfirmed, the company plans to tread lightly on this matter.

Samsung doesn’t seem it’s willing to risk It

The Galaxy Note 7 remains a lesson Samsung refuses to forget. In fact, they named a protocol after it. “Note-7” Compliance now ensures such a failure never repeats. An industry source, who goes by ß, familiar with the matter said that increasing capacity would crowd the internals and reduce insulation. Which would mean the same risk that caused the Note 7 saga.

Galaxy Note 7 battery’s design flaw

JerryRigEverything offered great insight into this issue at the time. When a battery charges, it expands. When that happened, the electrodes came into contact and exploded. Samsung has continued to play it safe, even after all these years.

Instead of installing a larger battery in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung is now focusing on the new chipset, whether it’s the Exynos 2600, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, or possibly both. The company is also introducing the new M14 Display Panel. These upgrades should help improve battery life.

As with all leaks and insider information, take this with a grain of salt. After all, anything could change between now and the start of mass production.