Samsung is reportedly exploring new battery innovations for its upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone, but it seems to be missing out on a crucial technology that could make a significant difference. The South Korean tech giant has been lagging behind its Chinese rivals like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Honor in terms of adopting larger smartphone batteries. When the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was released earlier this year, its 5000mAh battery seemed small in comparison to the competition.
According to reports from The Elec, Samsung is working with ITM Semiconductor to implement advanced battery protection circuits using epoxy molding compound (EMC) technology. These circuits help prevent overcharging and overvoltage in batteries, and the use of more space-efficient EMC technology could free up more space for larger batteries in the Galaxy S26 range. While it’s not confirmed yet whether Samsung will indeed use this extra space for bigger batteries, there are rumors suggesting that this might be the case.
In addition to the battery protection circuits, Samsung is also reportedly considering switching to stainless steel battery housing (SUS CAN) to further save space. However, what’s notably missing from these reports is any mention of Samsung adopting silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery technology. This cutting-edge battery tech is what allows phones like the OnePlus 13 to house a 6000mAh battery in a body no larger than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with its 5000mAh battery.
With upcoming flagship phones like the Xiaomi 16 rumored to surpass the 7000mAh mark, simply increasing the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s battery to 5500mAh may not be enough to compete. As the smartphone market continues to push boundaries in terms of battery capacity, Samsung will need to consider incorporating more advanced battery technologies to stay ahead of the competition.
