Good news for iPhone users who are afraid of ‘battery bottle’

The battery of the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be increased in energy density to not only increase performance per charge, but also make it easier for users and replacements.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is likely to have a higher battery capacity than the iPhone 15 Pro Max thanks to the change in the battery. Photo: Ming-Chi Kuo.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities revealed that Apple is making modifications to the lithium-ion battery on the iPhone 16 Pro Max aimed at increasing the energy density (Wh/kg).

According to Digital Trends, energy density is defined as the amount of energy that can be stored in a smartphone. The increase in density means that the device will have a higher battery capacity of the same size, or shrink the battery but the capacity remains the same compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

To eliminate overheating, Kuo said Apple will use stainless steel as the battery case. According to the analyst, the heat dissipation efficiency of stainless steel is less than that of aluminum, but this material is durable, less wear and tear, and easier to disassemble.

Apple’s change in the battery replacement mechanism on the iPhone also comes from the sustainability regulations of the European Union (EU). In 2024, the European Commission has issued a battery regulation and requires manufacturing companies to be more responsible for the e-waste problem.

“This will help Apple comply with European Union regulations on the possibility of replacing mobile phone batteries in the future,” Kuo emphasized.

The battery on the iPhone is one of the parts that makes repairers and those who discover the device themselves take the longest to replace. Therefore, Apple’s new move can help the cost of battery replacement services no longer be too expensive.

However, producing a battery with a higher energy density is an expensive endeavor and can completely lead to Apple having to increase the selling price with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

According to MacRumors, Sunway is said to be the supplier of stainless steel battery cases for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. If the design and manufacturing process goes smoothly, Kuo said Apple will apply this material to the entire iPhone 17 series.