Day: March 11, 2026

Samsung has been leading the way in smartphone advancements, but it has encountered challenges in battery performance. Recent findings indicate that Samsung is making notable efforts to rectify this concern by experimenting with larger batteries for its Galaxy smartphones. A source on X has revealed that Samsung is testing substantial battery sizes, including a 12,000mAh and an 18,000mAh model. However, a 20,000mAh battery is reported to have failed following 960 charging cycles.

These advancements suggest that Samsung is investigating silicon-carbon battery technology, which could be integrated into upcoming Galaxy devices. The 12,000mAh battery is said to employ a “dual stacked cell” configuration, merging a 6,800mAh and a 5,200mAh battery, having a thickness of approximately 9.0mm. This battery is reportedly capable of enduring 1,500 charging cycles before its capacity declines to 80%.

In addition, Samsung is evaluating an 18,000mAh battery featuring a “tri-cell vertical stack,” composed of 6,699mAh, 6,000mAh, and 5,257mAh capacities. This battery thickness is recorded at 12.3mm, which is significant considering Samsung’s inclination towards slimmer devices.

Despite these encouraging advancements, the Galaxy S26 series still incorporates a 5,000mAh battery in the Ultra version, with reduced capacities for the standard and Plus versions. This stands in contrast to rivals like OnePlus, which provide larger batteries paired with quicker charging options.

Samsung’s initiatives to boost battery efficiency are a positive development, as consumers place greater emphasis on battery longevity and charging speed. While the company has progressed in other domains, enhancing battery technology could greatly improve user satisfaction and maintain Samsung’s competitive edge in the smartphone industry.

**Samsung’s Initial Galaxy S26 Update Disables the ‘Hey Plex’ Wake Phrase**

Samsung has rolled out its inaugural software update for the Galaxy S26 series, which prominently eliminates the “Hey Plex” wake command that was used to engage the Perplexity AI assistant hands-free. This alteration means that users must now manually start Perplexity or utilize the side button for access, as the “Hey Plex detection” switch has been removed from the settings. Nevertheless, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has assured that the wake phrase will be reinstated as “Hey Perplexity.”

The Galaxy S26, released earlier this year, is part of Samsung’s initiative to enhance its AI ecosystem, unveiling Perplexity AI in conjunction with Bixby and Google’s Gemini. The “Hey Plex” feature permitted users to activate the assistant without physically interacting with the device, even with the screen off. Its removal implies that the feature may not have been entirely ready at launch, and the transition to “Hey Perplexity” could bolster the assistant’s branding.

The update has momentarily deactivated the voice activation capability while Samsung and Perplexity shift to the revised wake word. This change may stem from possible conflicts with other brands or products utilizing the “Plex” name, and employing the complete “Perplexity” title could elucidate the assistant’s identity.

Samsung’s strategy with the Galaxy S26 emphasizes a multi-assistant framework, enabling users to alternate between assistants like Gemini for Google-driven inquiries, Bixby for device management, and Perplexity for online research responses. Perplexity is embedded within Samsung’s ecosystem, collaborating with applications such as Samsung Notes, Calendar, and Reminders.

At present, Galaxy S26 users need to manually launch Perplexity, but once the “Hey Perplexity” command is operational, voice access will be reinstated, providing one of the most adaptable AI configurations available on any smartphone.