Samsung’s Qi2 excuse on Galaxy S26 ignores the issue

The Galaxy S26 sequence doesn’t have Qi2 magnets and the official excuse for why ignores the massive image.

In a press release to 9to5Google, Samsung says that the explanation the Galaxy S26 sequence lacks built-in Qi2 magnets is part of the corporate’s “dedication to thinner, lighter designs.”

Galaxy S26 sequence helps Qi2-compatible cellphone circumstances, providing customers flexibility with out embedding the function immediately into the gadget. This determination displays Samsung’s broader dedication to thinner, lighter designs, pushed by superior engineering that prioritizes compactness and portability.

Admittedly, the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s thinner {hardware} is fairly implausible. I’m an enormous fan of how a lot better it feels within the hand, because it feels a bit much less just like the 6.9-inch behemoth that it’s. However is that definitely worth the expense of Qi2 magnets? I personally don’t suppose so, and I feel it goes past private desire.

The target subject right here is that Samsung has upgraded the wi-fi charging speeds of the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Extremely, however consumers received’t be capable to make the most of that with out shopping for a case. There’s not a single Qi2 25W charger in the marketplace immediately that doesn’t use magnetic alignment as a result of, as we beforehand mentioned, the Qi2 spec seems to demand that.

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Based mostly on what we’ve been capable of dig up, the Qi specification’s EPP (Prolonged Energy Profile) is restricted to 15W speeds, with 25W reserved for the MPP (Magnetic Energy Profile) and energetic alignment gadgets. So, with that in thoughts, does the Galaxy S26 Extremely require a magnetic case to realize correct 25W speeds? So far as we will inform… sure, each by the phrases of the Qi spec in addition to the straightforward indisputable fact that there are not any 25W wi-fi chargers with out magnetic alignment. Even Samsung’s first-party 25W wi-fi charger… is a magnetic puck that’s, at naked minimal, irritating to make use of with no magnetic case.

Certain, you might purchase a puck-style charger and thoroughly line it as much as get these quicker speeds, however doesn’t that sound like a horrible expertise?

Constructing magnets into the cellphone itself was at all times the unique plan for Qi2 as a complete, till “Qi2 Prepared” turned the official excuse to dump that to circumstances. However there’s an inherent downside with offloading magnets to circumstances as an alternative of placing them within the cellphone. Not each case has magnets. Samsung upped its collection of first-party magnetic circumstances this 12 months, each by way of high quality and amount, however even Samsung sells circumstances that don’t have magnets. As such, the third-party market goes to be simply as hit and miss.

I feel it was fairly clear from early leaks that Samsung initially wished to incorporate Qi2 magnets natively, making it all of the extra of a disgrace that it didn’t find yourself taking place.

The attraction of Qi2 magnets ought to be apparent sufficient. Apple has been utilizing this tech for half a decade now, and it’s one thing that anybody who bought a contemporary iPhone will need in the event that they change to a different gadget. Whereas Samsung is true that most individuals are utilizing a case anyway, placing magnets inside of the particular cellphone standardizes that function and performance in circumstances, whereas additionally guaranteeing that everyone utilizing the cellphone can use its complete suite of options.

Don’t get me flawed, I feel the Galaxy S26 sequence seems nice, and I’ve been having fun with the Extremely up to now, however I want Samsung would rethink this one.