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Apple could be developing its own next-gen batteries

By Joshua Swingle

Published: Jan 23, 2019, 7:23 PM

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Apple

The iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus

Apple already designs a number of components in-house and recent reports have suggested that it also has plans for custom modems and microLED displays. But from the look of things, the iPhone giant could also be preparing its own batteries.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple recently hired Soonho Ahn as its Global Head of Battery Developments. Previously, Ahn worked at LG Chem for 18 years until 2014 and, more recently, at rival Samsung SDI.

Both of these are subsidiaries of their respective parent companies, LG Corporation and Samsung, and supply batteries to a multitude of companies across the globe. In fact, in the past, Samsung SDI has been one of Apple’s suppliers.

During Ahn’s time at Samsung SDI, he acted as the company’s Senior Vice President. The recently-hired Apple employee led the development of both current-gen lithium battery pack and also next-generation batteries and materials.

Almost a year ago, yet another Bloomberg report revealed that Apple was in talks to obtain long-term cobalt supplies, a key component in batteries, from miners directly. At the time, the information was largely associated with a shortage of raw metal. But the company’s recent hire suggests that it may actually be planning the production of its own batteries, more specifically those based on next-gen technology.