EU energy labels for the Galaxy S26 series have surfaced less than 36 hours before launch, and they reveal something few expected: better efficiency, but potentially weaker long-term battery health than the Galaxy S25.

The labels, obtained by Ytechb, cover the full lineup: the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. They outline energy efficiency, endurance per cycle, repairability, durability ratings, and battery lifespan under the EU’s standardized testing framework.

Moving from 2000 cycles to 1200 cycles represents a reduction in long-term battery longevity. For users who keep their phones for four or five years, cycle count matters as it impacts how quickly battery capacity degrades over time.

The labels list battery endurance at 1200 charge cycles before dropping to 80 percent health. The Galaxy S25 series and several other recent Samsung devices were rated for 2000 charge cycles to reach that same 80 percent threshold.

More from EU label

On paper, the efficiency story looks strong. All three models carry an A-class energy efficiency rating. That puts them among the most power-efficient phones under the EU system. The standardized battery endurance test shows:

• Galaxy S26: 51 hours, 4,175mAh battery
• Galaxy S26 Plus: 55 hours, 4,755mAh battery
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: 55 hours, 4,855mAh battery

Those are solid numbers, especially considering the battery sizes are not dramatically larger than previous models. If the labels are accurate, Samsung has squeezed more usable time out of similar capacity cells.

All three devices are rated A for repeated free-fall reliability. The lineup carries an IP68 certification, meaning they are fully dust-tight and can survive submersion in up to 3 meters of fresh water for at least 30 minutes.

The Galaxy S26 series reportedly earns a C grade for repairability, suggesting moderate difficulty for component replacement. With launch day just hours away, official confirmation is close.

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