Will Samsung Galaxy S26 bring a silicon-carbon battery? Probably not
In a strategic move to address long-standing criticism over battery performance in its flagship smartphones, Samsung has reportedly entered a new agreement with South Korean component specialist ITM Semiconductor Co. The partnership aims to integrate advanced battery protection technology into the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, a development that could pave the way for larger battery capacities and enhanced longevity.
According to a report from the Korean news outlet The Elec, ITM Semiconductor will supply Samsung with specialized “battery protection circuits” manufactured using epoxy molding compound (EMC) technology. These circuits are crucial components that regulate the flow of charge, preventing batteries from overcharging or discharging too rapidly—factors that significantly impact a battery’s health and lifespan.
What tech will the Samsung Galaxy S26 battery use?
The adoption of EMC technology is a key advancement. This packaging technique utilizes a thin layer of polymeric compounds, like silica, to create a more compact and robust protection circuit. Its primary benefits include shielding the battery from moisture, preventing electromagnetic interference from other components on the mainboard, and, most importantly, improving heat dissipation. Efficiently managing heat is vital, as high temperatures generated during charging or intensive use (such as gaming) are a primary cause of accelerated battery degradation.
By making the protection circuits smaller, this advanced packaging frees up valuable internal space within the phone’s chassis. This extra room can then be allocated to a physically larger battery cell, directly translating to a higher milliamp-hour (mAh) capacity.
This partnership builds on an existing relationship, as ITM Semiconductor already supplies less advanced protection solutions for Samsung’s Galaxy A series and its Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones. The company also has a proven track record as a supplier of protection circuit modules (PMPs) for batteries used in certain Apple iPhone and AirPods models, as well as older Samsung flagships.
Will This Mean Bigger Batteries for the Galaxy S26?
While it is still too early for official confirmation, the move to more compact protection circuits fuels speculation about increased battery capacities in the 2026 flagship line. Unverified rumors suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature a 5,500mAh battery, a notable 10% increase over the 5,000mAh battery in the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Further supporting this possibility is another, more reliable report indicating that Samsung plans to switch the battery’s housing material to stainless steel, or “SUS CAN.” This change in casing technology is also expected to allow for higher charge density and larger capacities within the same physical footprint.
Falling Behind in Next-Gen Battery Tech?
Despite these improvements in packaging and protection, reports suggest Samsung does not yet have plans to adopt the more advanced silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery technology that many of its Chinese competitors have already embraced.
Si-C batteries offer significantly higher energy density, allowing manufacturers to pack more capacity into the same physical volume. Other Android phones, such as the OnePlus 13 and the recently launched Nothing Phone 3, already employ Si-C batteries. This technology is a key reason why some competing devices can offer substantially larger battery ratings without increasing the phone’s overall size. For instance, the upcoming OnePlus 15 is rumored to house a massive 7,000mAh battery, a figure that would likely outshine the purported 5,500mAh pack in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
While the enhanced protection circuits from ITM could theoretically allow Samsung to implement faster charging speeds for the Galaxy S26 series, there have been no credible reports on that front thus far. Ultimately, the new partnership signals a clear focus on improving a critical aspect of the user experience, even if Samsung remains conservative in its adoption of the absolute latest battery cell chemistry.
