How telepathy became a top partner trait

According to a new study of 2,000 UK adults 80% of Brits say they actively value a partner who can pre-empt what they want

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17:07, 10 MAR 2026

Telepathy has become one of the most sought-after traits in modern relationships, as new research reveals a growing number of people now value partners who can anticipate their needs before they even have to ask. According to a new study of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by Samsung Electronics to celebrate the launch of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, 80% of Brits say they actively value a partner who can pre-empt what they want, from knowing when to exit the party to booking a restaurant well in advance.

It comes as "Chair Theory" has been doing the rounds on social media, a cultural trend centring around the idea that a partner who truly values you will always pull up a chair for you at the table. That is, when you walk into a room exhausted, arms loaded carrying objects and generally overwhelmed, they pull out a chair for you – you don’t have to ask.

Emotional intelligence (48%) ranks among the top qualities Brits value in a romantic partner, alongside patience (47%) and shared values (46%) - suggesting many people want someone who can tune into their emotions almost like telepathy. And for some, that connection could be literal, with over one in 10 (13%) saying they’d value telepathy in a partner.

Over two thirds of Brits (73%) say that they have developed a telepathic relationship between themselves and their partner, with 78% saying that they can rely on their significant other to get the small things right the majority of the time. 73% say that they can communicate solely through eye contact and facial expressions, whilst 82% say they know exactly what their partner is thinking through their body language.

Now Nudge, a new feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, brings this kind of intuitive support to everyday life, anticipating what you need and suggesting relevant actions based on context. When a friend asks about evening plans on messaging apps, Galaxy AI checks the calendar, detects conflicts and displays a tailored “Nudge” pop-up.

Aside from pulling up a chair, other examples of so-called ‘telepathic’ behaviour between partners include having your favourite food cooked for you (43%), getting a gift of something you mentioned (40%), and being brought a coffee or tea in the morning (40%).

“Modern telepathy is really about anticipating needs and removing everyday friction, so it feels like somebody is always there ready to pull the metaphorical chair out for you when your arms are already full,” said Annika Bizon, VP of Product and Marketing for Samsung UK & Ireland.

"With Now Nudge on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, you can feel even more supported day-to-day, with AI that understands what’s on screen and what you’re doing – whether that’s providing a calendar shortcut when making plans with friends, or surfacing relevant photos from a recent trip if a friend asks.”

At the other end of the scale, the things that people most hate reminding their partners about were carrying out random chores (29%), birthdays (23%) and family events (22%). Over half of Brits (56%) find it draining when they constantly feel like they have to remind their partner or significant other about things, particularly around the house.