Samsung’s Super Fast Charging 3.0 Surfaces: Galaxy S26 Ultra to Hit 60W, But Older Phones Are Out

Samsung is finally ready to speed things up. Code hidden in the upcoming One UI 8.5 software hints at a new level of power: Super Fast Charging 3.0. This new feature is being built for the next major flagship phone. All leaks point to the Galaxy S26 Ultra being the first device to support it. Crucially, the upgrade means a major bump to 60W wired charging. This is a big jump from the 45W seen on the S25 Ultra. By keeping the battery size the same, Samsung will drastically cut down charging time.

Samsung has lagged behind rivals for years. While brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus offer 100W or faster charging, Samsung has stuck firmly to 45W. This 60W leap shows Samsung is feeling market pressure. It is a welcome change for long-time Galaxy users.

Most Samsung phones use 25W charging. The 45W charging is available only on a few premium models. The S26 Ultra would be the first Galaxy to break that 45W ceiling. Why does this matter for older phones? If Super Fast Charging 3.0 is tied to this new 60W speed, it won't come to older devices. The feature depends on specific hardware built into the phone. The S26 Ultra’s new battery cells and thermal systems will be the only ones ready for the 60W power level.

It's important to remember what "Super Fast Charging" means. It's both software and hardware. Samsung phones currently have a switch to turn on Super Fast Charging. The previous versions (1.0 and 2.0) work well in the real world.

The question is, is version 3.0 just a new name for the 60W hardware? Or is it a smart software trick? If it's only about the new 60W speed, older phones are out. However, if Super Fast Charging 3.0 includes an enhanced AI charging algorithm, things could change. A smart algorithm might slightly speed up charging on older 45W or 25W models. This would happen by better managing power and heat.

My guess is the latter. Samsung usually uses software names to cover major hardware changes. This 3.0 branding will likely signal the new 60W era. It will not be a simple software update for everyone else.

The code for Super Fast Charging 3.0 is currently buried in One UI 8.5. It is set to debut with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. If Samsung plans a wider release, we might see the feature appear in a One UI 8.5 Beta update soon. For now, only the next-generation flagship is a sure bet for this much-needed speed boost.

While a jump to 60W is great news for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it confirms Samsung's strategy: major battery tech improvements are exclusive to the newest, most expensive hardware, leaving previous owners waiting.