According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple the iPhone 16 Pro Max will use a battery with increased energy density, allowing for more battery life with the same battery size or getting the same battery life from a smaller battery.
In his latest supply chain study, Kuo notes that the energy density (Wh/kg) of the battery cells in the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be increased, which “has the advantage of longer battery life with the same battery size or smaller size but with the same battery life».
According to Kuo, to avoid overheating of the battery, Apple is using a stainless steel battery case as a thermal insulator for the first time.
Stainless steel does not dissipate heat as efficiently as aluminum, but it is stronger and less prone to corrosion. The use of a stainless steel case also reduces the difficulty of removing the battery, which will help Apple in the future to comply with the European Union's requirements for replacing mobile phone batteries.
If the mass production of batteries of the new design is successful, then, according to Kuo, the new design will be used in all iPhone 17 models next year.