Have you ever sat there staring at your phone, wondering why it takes two hours to wirelessly top up while the world moves at the speed of light? It is a frustration we all share. We want the convenience of just "plopping" our phone down, but we also want it to actually, you know, charge before we have to leave for work. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series might finally address that speed itch, but it is doing so in a way that’s already causing a bit of a "digital explosion" in the fan forums.
While it, sadly, looks like the Galaxy S26 series will be missing out on built-in Qi2 magnets, Samsung seems to still have a wireless charging spec upgrade in store for its new devices. It is a classic "good news, bad news" situation that tells us a lot about the economics of the smartphone world in 2026.
The Leak: Qi 2.2.1 is the New King
To give a quick recap, Samsung was originally expected to adopt native Qi2 magnets to fully embrace the latest wireless charging standard in the new Galaxy S26 series, but a change in plans seems to have resulted in another series of flagship phones that will again offload that functionality to cases
Despite that, though, Samsung does appear to be upgrading the wireless charging spec used for the Galaxy S26 series. New listings for three Samsung smartphones have popped up at the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC
Why Qi 2.2.1 Matters
The Qi 2.2.1 spec is a newer version than the Qi 2.1.0 spec used on the Galaxy S25 series. This is a big deal because Qi 2.2.1 is the first version that officially supports speeds beyond the old 15W limit. It is the same version used by the Pixel 10 Pro XL and the latest iPhones, suggesting that rumors around faster 20-25W wireless charging speeds for Samsung might finally turn out to be true.
The Great Magnet Mystery: Why Skip Qi2?
Galaxy S26 is likely skipping built-in Qi2 magnets in the latest leak, and the Galaxy S26 series will "100%" not have Qi2 magnets built-in, according to multiple reliable sources. It’s a wild choice, given that some of Samsung’s first-party accessories will rely on magnet support, but it’s where things look to be headed.
The "No MPP" Smoking Gun
The lack of an "MPP" (Magnetic Power Profile) indicator on the WPC power profile strongly suggests that rumors around these phones not having magnets built in are true. Instead, they are using the EPP (Extended Power Profile), which gives you the speed but leaves the alignment up to your aim—or a magnetic case.
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Series | Galaxy S26 Series (Leaked) |
| Wireless Spec | Qi 2.1.0 | Qi 2.2.1 |
| Max Speed | 15W | 20W - 25W |
| Built-in Magnets | No | No |
| Qi2 Certified? | No | No (due to lack of magnets) |
The Economics of a Missing Magnet
You might think a magnet is just a tiny piece of metal, but in the macroeconomics of 2026, every millimeter and every cent counts. The smartphone labor market and supply chains are under immense pressure.
Geopolitical Tensions and Material Costs
We are currently dealing with significant geopolitical tensions that have caused a "structural repricing" of basic materials. Rare earth magnets are caught in the middle of international politics and economic sanctions. By skipping built-in magnets, Samsung might be avoiding a "cost explosion" in its bill of materials (BoM), which has already been driven up by the soaring price of memory.
International Trade: Export restrictions on advanced materials are making it harder to maintain high profit margins.
Economic Growth: With global smartphone shipments expected to shrink by about 2.1% this year, manufacturers are desperate to cut costs where they can without hurting the "Pro" branding.
Foreign Investment: Massive foreign investment is being diverted into AI processing (like the Exynos 2600), leaving less room in the budget for "luxury" hardware like internal magnet arrays.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you were hoping to snap your new S26 Ultra onto a MagSafe-style car mount naked, you are out of luck. You’re left either allowing all calls to ring... wait, wrong script! You're left either balancing your phone perfectly on a pad or buying a "Qi2 Ready" case to get that magnetic click.
Main Points to Remember:
Speed Boost: You can likely expect 25W wireless charging, matching the best in the industry.
Case Dependency: Magnets will be "offloaded" to third-party and official cases.
Efficiency: Qi 2.2.1 uses better thermal management, so your phone won't get as hot while charging.
Launch Date: Mark your calendars for February 25, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my old chargers work?
Yes, Qi 2.2.1 is backward compatible. However, to get the full 25W speed, you will likely need a new charger that specifically supports the 2.2.1 or "Qi2 25W" branding.
Why does Samsung keep skipping magnets?
It’s likely a mix of design choice (keeping the phone thin) and economics. As supply chains for specialized components become more volatile due to international conflicts, sticking to a simpler internal design is a safer bet for mass production.
Is 25W wireless charging as fast as wired?
Not quite. The S26 Ultra is expected to support up to 60W wired charging, so wireless is still the "convenience" option, not the "I need power right now" option.
Will this affect the price?
Because of the economic repercussions of the global memory shortage, the S26 series is already rumored to be pricier in some regions. Skipping the magnets might be the only thing keeping the price from going even higher!
Conclusion
So, while it continues to look like magnets aren’t happening, it does seem like Samsung is at least still looking to upgrade charging speeds. It’s a strange "middle ground" for a flagship. You get the cutting-edge Qi 2.2.1 speed, but you miss out on the physical click that makes the Qi2 standard so satisfying. In a world defined by geopolitical volatility and shifting international trade, maybe a faster charge is the best win we can get this year.
Which new Galaxy S26 features are your favorites? Is the lack of magnets a dealbreaker for you? Let us know in the comments.
Contact us via the web if you need help finding the best magnetic cases once the phone drops!
Sources:
9to5Google – Galaxy S26 series surfaces with upgraded wireless charging spec Android Authority – Galaxy S26 WPC Listing Spotted Wireless Power Consortium – Qi 2.2.1 Specification Details World Economic Forum – Global Risks Report 2026
Libellés: Galaxy S26, Wireless Charging, Qi2, Samsung Leaks, International Economics, Supply Chains, Tech News 2026.
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