The Galaxy S26 series doesn’t have Qi2 magnets and the official excuse for why ignores the big picture.
In a statement to 9to5Google, Samsung says that the reason the Galaxy S26 series lacks built-in Qi2 magnets is a part of the company’s “commitment to thinner, lighter designs.”
Galaxy S26 series supports Qi2-compatible phone cases, offering users flexibility without embedding the feature directly into the device. This decision reflects Samsung’s broader commitment to thinner, lighter designs, driven by advanced engineering that prioritizes compactness and portability.
Admittedly, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s thinner hardware is pretty fantastic. I’m a big fan of how much better it feels in the hand, as it feels a bit less like the 6.9-inch behemoth that it is. But is that worth the expense of Qi2 magnets? I personally don’t think so, and I think it goes beyond personal preference.
The objective issue here is that Samsung has upgraded the wireless charging speeds of the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra, but buyers won’t be able to take advantage of that without buying a case. There’s not a single Qi2 25W charger on the market today that doesn’t use magnetic alignment because, as we previously discussed, the Qi2 spec appears to demand that.
Based on what we’ve been able to dig up, the Qi specification’s EPP (Extended Power Profile) is restricted to 15W speeds, with 25W reserved for the MPP (Magnetic Power Profile) and active alignment devices. So, with that in mind, does the Galaxy S26 Ultra require a magnetic case to achieve proper 25W speeds? As far as we can tell… yes, both by the terms of the Qi spec as well as the simple fact that there are no 25W wireless chargers without magnetic alignment. Even Samsung’s first-party 25W wireless charger… is a magnetic puck that is, at bare minimum, frustrating to use without a magnetic case.
Sure, you could buy a puck-style charger and carefully line it up to get those faster speeds, but doesn’t that sound like a horrible experience?
Building magnets into the phone itself was always the original plan for Qi2 as a whole, until “Qi2 Ready” became the official excuse to offload that to cases. But there’s an inherent problem with offloading magnets to cases instead of putting them in the phone. Not every case has magnets. Samsung upped its selection of first-party magnetic cases this year, both in terms of quality and quantity, but even Samsung sells cases that don’t have magnets. As such, the third-party market is going to be just as hit or miss.
I think it was pretty clear from early leaks that Samsung initially wanted to include Qi2 magnets natively, making it all the more of a shame that it didn’t end up happening.
The appeal of Qi2 magnets should be obvious enough. Apple has been using this tech for half a decade now, and it’s something that anyone who purchased a modern iPhone will want if they switch to another device. While Samsung is right that most people are using a case anyway, putting magnets inside of the actual phone standardizes that feature and functionality in cases, while also ensuring that everyone using the phone can use its whole suite of features.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the Galaxy S26 series looks great, and I’ve been enjoying the Ultra thus far, but I wish Samsung would reconsider this one.
The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order now, with Samsung’s usual pre-order perks in full swing. You’ll find boosted trade-in values and more available now through March 11, when these phones are available on store shelves. You’ll also get an additional $30 credit if you buy using our links below!
More on Samsung:
- Samsung teases ‘more advanced’ S Pen, no TriFold or Edge sequels yet
- Galaxy update removes Android recovery menu tools, including sideloading
- How to stack Galaxy S26 Ultra discounts and get an extra $50 off
Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments