How Big Is Samsung Galaxy S6 Battery? New Flagship Could See Smaller Capacity Than S5

The Samsung Galaxy S6 is supposed to be jam-packed with advanced specifications. But one of its most important components may be less powerful than it was in previous models. The 2015 flagship could have the battery capacity of a 2013 Samsung flagship, if reports from South Korea are to be believed.

The publication Itcle claims that the Samsung Galaxy S6 could have a 2,600 mAh battery, which is 200 mAh less than the battery in the 2014 Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone, and the same power capacity of the battery in the 2-year-old Galaxy S4. However, Samsung could use its power-efficient Exynos 7420 chip to make up for the loss in capacity. Samsung claims that the chip is 30 percent to 35 percent more power-efficient than other chips now standard on the market.

Reports suggest that Samsung may use its own processors in all Galaxy S6 models, when in the past the manufacturer has equipped some of its flagship models with Qualcomm Snapdragon silicon. Samsung has reportedly cited overheating issues with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chip that was intended for the Galaxy S6. Qualcomm has similarly confirmed that a major manufacturer won’t be using its chip in 2015, but has not named Samsung. However, signs are increasingly pointing to the reports being true.

There may be method to this strategy, if claims that the Galaxy S6 will feature a 2,600 mAh battery are legitimate. Other reports suggest that the upcoming flagship may sport a design similar to the iPhone 6, including a nonremovable battery. If Samsung were to make this move, it also could indicate that the manufacturer may be switching from a lithium-ion battery to a lithium-polymer cell for the Galaxy S6.

The Li-ion batteries in Samsung’s devices tend to allow for higher capacities, are cheaper to mass produce and are suitable as removable batteries. In contrast, the Li-po batteries used by rival Apple have battery capacities that aren’t as high. They are more expensive to mass produce and aren’t suitable as removable batteries; however, they last longer than Li-ion batteries overall. Apple tends to optimize its hardware and software to make up for the lack of power in its batteries.

It would be interesting if Samsung did make a switch from Li-ion to Li-po batteries, especially since the Korean manufacturer called iPhone users “wall huggers” in a 2014 advertisement, claiming that iPhones don't keep a substantial charge in comparison with Galaxy phones. Like many Android smartphone makers, Samsung is known for making its batteries increasingly bigger. But a bigger battery didn’t help sales of its Galaxy S5 smartphone, which sold 40 percent fewer handsets than the Galaxy S4. The Samsung Galaxy S6 is expected to be announced in two weeks at a press conference in Barcelona prior to the World Mobile Congress.