In summary:
- Tech Advisor reports that the Samsung Galaxy S26 series may not feature Qi2 magnetic charging, despite earlier hints suggesting MagSafe-like functionality.
- Tipster Ice Universe claims with complete certainty that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will lack the necessary magnets for wireless magnetic charging.
- This development disappoints expectations, as previous leaks and official cases had suggested the entire S26 range would support advanced charging capabilities.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 range may have just become a whole lot less appealing, as a new report claims that it won’t be getting an expected major upgrade after all.
In the lead-up to Samsung’s expected 25 February Unpacked event for the Samsung Galaxy S26 range, many signs had pointed to the new phones adding magnetic charging compatibility, including a new official Qi2 charger.
Now, however, well-connected tipster Ice Universe has poured cold water over such an idea.
The leaker claims to have learned with “100% accuracy” that the Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t include the magnets necessary for full Qi2 wireless charging compatibility. By extension, that would seem to suggest that Qi2 (the same as MagSafe on the iPhone) is a no-go for the entire Galaxy S26 range.
Just last week, another trusted tipster posted pictures of the Galaxy S26 family’s official cases (now deleted). Those images from Evan Blass now take on fresh meaning.
The transparent cases had the telltale circular elements commonly associated with Qi2 magnets, but this can just be to ensure the system still works as advertised with a case added to the device.
It’s a major downer for a Galaxy S26 series that has seemingly been scaled back from some relatively ambitious beginnings. At one point in time, earlier in 2025, we were hearing reports of a completely refreshed trio of Galaxy S26 phones.
The leaks and rumours have been all over the place, especially when it comes to inbuilt magnets.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The Samsung Galaxy S26 was apparently set to be replaced by a souped up Pro model, while the Galaxy S26+ would make way for the Galaxy S26 Edge. All the time, Qi2 charging was treated as an integral part of these new-look Galaxy S26 phones.
Various things have seemingly happened to scupper those plans, including a poor reception for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and widespread reports of spiking component prices (thanks, AI).
But it’s still disappointing to learn that Samsung won’t be following Google’s lead with the Pixel 10 series (pictured above) which has Qi2 branded as Pixelsnap and adopting proper magnetic wireless charging.
All of which leads us to wonder what, exactly, the Galaxy S26 will have to show us that’s new. We’ll likely find out soon with the Galaxy Unpacked launch event tipped to take place on 25 February.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.