Samsung's Next Midrange Phone May Out-Battery Its $1,400 Flagship

Samsung's next midrange phone may have a bigger battery than its most expensive one. A leak says the Galaxy A38, expected early next year, will hold more charge than the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which starts around $1,400. Samsung has not confirmed anything.

What the leak says

The report comes from Galaxy Club, passed along by Android Authority. It says the A38 battery is rated at 5,882mAh. Galaxy Club expects Samsung to advertise it as a typical 6,000mAh. The mAh figure measures how much charge a battery holds. The S26 Ultra has 5,000mAh.

That would be a change for Samsung's A3x phones, which have stuck with 5,000mAh for the past six years. The first in the line to get it was the 2020 Galaxy A31.

The price gap

The A3x phones have grown pricier. The A31 started around $250. This year's A37 was $449. Galaxy Club expects the A38 to cost more than $500.

Even so, the A38 would sell for up to half the price of the S26 Ultra, with potentially 20% more battery capacity. The S26 Ultra's regular starting price is about $1,400.

What is not known

• Samsung has said nothing official about the A38, its battery or its price.
• The reason for the bigger battery is unclear. It could simply be a roomier design.
• Galaxy Club does not expect a silicon-carbon battery, a newer type that fits more capacity into less space.

Rivals are already far ahead on size. The OnePlus 16 has a 9,000mAh battery, and the Realme P4 Power has 10,001mAh. Samsung may feel pressure to keep up with Chinese makers.

Does it matter in daily use

Maybe not much. The S26 Ultra already has a reputation for lasting through very heavy days of use. A bigger number on the spec sheet may not change how often most people charge.

What to do

If you are shopping for a new Samsung phone, there is little reason to rush. Wait for the A38 to be official, then compare real battery tests and the final price against the models you are considering.