Not long ago, I said full Qi2 support could be one of the potential Galaxy S26+ upgrades that might finally pry the S24+ out of my hands. Since then, the leaks have poured a little cold water on that idea. The S26 series will not have built-in Qi2 magnets after all. So… am I disappointed? Is this a deal-breaker?
On paper, I probably should be. Especially if the Plus also skips the Ultra’s privacy display trick. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder whether we’re actually ready for what Qi2 magnets would cost Galaxy S26 users.
Why not use both technologies?
I'm not trying to defend Samsung's decision either way, but here's the catch: It is widely believed that Qi2 (and Qi2.2, for that matter) charging and Wireless PowerShare are incompatible. The Qi2 magnets can interfere with the reverse wireless charging coil.
Whether that’s a physics problem no one can solve or just a headache Samsung doesn’t want, the result looks the same. Something has to give.
Google already chose. The Pixel 10 lineup ditched reverse wireless charging to make room for built-in Qi2 magnets.
Perhaps Google could have come up with an engineering or design solution to keep both technologies, but it chose Qi2 magnets over reverse wireless charging. That was the trade-off.
Samsung appears to have chosen the same. The Galaxy S26 won’t have both either. It’s Qi2 magnets or Wireless PowerShare for the Galaxy S26 series. And recent leaks confirm Samsung did not pick the former.
I may not use Wireless PowerShare enough to miss it, but…
Here’s where it gets interesting. Wireless PowerShare used to be a big deal and one of Samsung's defining features. It debuted with the Galaxy S10, back when Samsung pitched it as this futuristic, generous, battery-sharing superpower.
There was even a survey claiming sharing your battery could strengthen romantic relationships. Yes, really. It felt less like market research and more like something out of a parody phone ad in a GTA game.
That same year the S10 launched, Samsung also embedded a couple of its laptops, the Galaxy Book Flex and Ion, with Wireless PowerShare technology. We haven't seen anything like it since.
But despite these early efforts, the truth is that the feature itself has faded into the background in recent years. Newer Galaxy Watches even dropped Wireless PowerShare to get slimmer and fit better on the wrist. The marketing hype cooled. PowerShare is still here, but it no longer feels like a defining Galaxy flex.
Personally? I barely use it. The few times I did, it was genuinely handy. But “occasionally useful” isn’t the same as “essential.”
Qi2 magnets, on the other hand, feel like something I’d use almost every day. Snapping onto a wireless charger without alignment drama. Locking onto a car mount without clamps. A cleaner accessory ecosystem. That’s friction removed from daily life, not just an emergency party trick.
Still, I can already hear the split reaction
Some Galaxy fans would absolutely miss Wireless PowerShare. For them, losing it would feel like Samsung quietly erasing a signature feature. Others will be annoyed that Qi2 still isn’t fully embraced. No matter what Samsung does, someone’s going to file a complaint.
As for me, the lack of full Qi2 support isn’t a deal-breaker, but it is disappointing. I’d still welcome it with open arms.
Thankfully, Samsung might be able to make up for it in other ways. A recent leak even suggests that the entire Galaxy S26 series — and not just the Ultra model — will finally benefit from an anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 display treatment.
If I’m forced to pick, though? I suspect Qi2 magnets would improve daily life for more people than Wireless PowerShare ever did. But for the few who genuinely use PowerShare often, the S26 staying the course might feel like a win. Which side are you on?
Of course, the worst case scenario would be to miss out on both Wireless PowerShare and Qi2 magnets. In that case, Samsung would have no excuse. But let's not even entertain that idea.
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