Joe Maring / Android Authority
We’re coming to the end of the year, and we’ve already seen the first next-generation flagship Android phones launching around the world. These phones give us a rough idea of what to expect from the industry next year — more performance and bigger batteries being two of the earlier trends.
Never mind expectations, though. What do I actually want from smartphones next year? From bigger batteries in all markets to iPhone-rivaling video quality, here’s what I’m wishing for in 2026.
What's your wish for Android phones in 2026? 0 votes Bigger batteries in more markets NaN % Video quality that rivals iPhones NaN % Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phones that don't run hot NaN % A truly affordable Galaxy Z Flip NaN % More mid-rangers with tele cameras NaN % Budget Pixels without battery issues NaN % Linux desktop apps on more phones NaN % Other (leave a comment) NaN %
1. Bigger batteries, for everyone
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
The recently launched OPPO Find X9 Pro, OnePlus 15, and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max all have 7,000mAh+ batteries. However, the bad news is that shipping regulations in markets like the EU and US cap the size of an individual battery cell. Some brands have circumvented this restriction by using phones with dual-cell battery designs. And that’s how the OnePlus 15 and OPPO Find X9 Pro retain their gigantic batteries in Europe. However, phones like the vivo X300 Pro and Xiaomi 15 Ultra consequently have much smaller batteries in the EU compared to India and China.
I’d really like to see more phone makers adopting dual-cell batteries to circumvent these shipping regulations. That way, phones can offer the same battery capacity in Europe, the US, and China. EMEA markets in particular already pay a premium for phones compared to China and India, so why give us less for more?
I also think it’s high time for companies like Samsung and Apple to offer much larger batteries. Silicon-carbon batteries might not last as long as the best lithium-ion batteries, but they certainly last as long as conventional lithium-ion batteries inside recent Pixels.
2. Video quality to match or exceed iPhones
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