Once upon a time, Samsung stood for bold innovation. It was the company that took risks, challenged conventions, and led the charge into new smartphone territories. But if the Galaxy S26 Edge is anything to go by, that old Samsung might be gone — and in its place is a version that looks increasingly like Apple. And frankly, that’s just a little bit sad.
Slimmer
Let’s start with the obvious. The Galaxy S26 Edge is getting even slimmer than its already-thin predecessor, the S25 Edge. At first glance, that sounds great — sleek, lightweight, futuristic. But here’s the problem: almost no one asked for a thinner phone.
What people actually want is more battery life. Surveys and user feedback consistently show that a larger battery ranks among the top priorities for smartphone users. Yet, Samsung continues to shave off millimeters of thickness while giving only a marginal boost to battery size. It’s form over function all over again.
Batteries
Here’s where things really start to feel off. There’s already better battery tech available — silicon-carbon batteries, to be specific. These offer more energy in smaller sizes, exactly what a slim flagship needs. Chinese manufacturers like Oppo and Honor are embracing them, launching phones with 7,000 mAh to even 8,000 mAh batteries.
Samsung, though? Still sticking with the same 5,000 mAh battery it’s been using in its flagships since 2020. And this is the Galaxy S26 Ultra we’re talking about — the top-tier model. The same thing is happening over at Apple, where the upcoming iPhone 17 Air might come with just a 2,900 mAh battery. It’s like the two biggest smartphone brands are having a competition to stay outdated.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Brand | Model | Battery (mAh) | Battery Tech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Galaxy S26 Ultra | 5,000 | Lithium-ion |
| Apple | iPhone 17 Air | 2,900 | Lithium-ion |
| Oppo | Ace 6 Max | 7,000 | Silicon-carbon |
| Honor | Magic6 Ultimate | 8,000 | Silicon-carbon |
| Realme | Concept Phone | 15,000 | Silicon-carbon |
As the table shows, Samsung is falling behind — and by a wide margin.
Identity
This is the part that stings for long-time Samsung fans. The brand used to be the one pushing boundaries. It brought us styluses with the Galaxy Note before big phones were even cool. It gave us foldables before anyone else dared. And yes, it stumbled — who could forget the Galaxy Note 7 battery debacle? — but it got back up, improved, and kept pushing.
Now? Samsung is playing it safe. The Galaxy S26 Edge should’ve been the phone to correct the missteps of the S25 Edge. Instead, it’s doubling down on them. Slimmer body. Small battery. No adoption of next-gen tech. It’s a disappointing turn — especially because it feels intentional.
Trends
The shift in strategy seems clear. Samsung isn’t innovating like it used to; it’s copying Apple’s philosophy — wait, polish, and release. The problem is, that’s not what made Samsung great. And now, instead of leading the pack, it’s letting smaller brands show the way forward.
Apple has always been about perfection over experimentation. That’s its brand. But Samsung used to be the rebel — the tech daredevil. Now it’s starting to blend into the background, looking more and more like Apple in the least inspiring ways.
Samsung hasn’t just lost its edge — it’s giving it away.
FAQs
Is the Galaxy S26 Edge thinner than S25 Edge?
Yes, it’s even slimmer than the previous model.
Does S26 Edge have a bigger battery?
Slightly, but it’s still relatively small.
Why doesn’t Samsung use silicon-carbon batteries?
They’re available, but Samsung hasn’t adopted them yet.
Are Chinese phones using better batteries?
Yes, some offer up to 15,000 mAh using new tech.
Is Samsung copying Apple now?
In many ways, it seems like they are.
