Apple

Apple could be developing its own next-gen batteries

by Joshua Swingle / Jan 23, 2019, 7:23 PM

Apple could be developing its own next-gen batteries

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.

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14 Comments

1. Phullofphil

Posts: 1828; Member since: Feb 10, 2009

That is good news for me

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 7:58 PM 4

5. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Yup, it'll be a smart battery to help iFans know when to upgrade. The previous ones got them caught, they need something better.

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 8:50 PM 5

2. Busyboy

Posts: 735; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

This is exactly the kind of competition I want in the space.

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 8:01 PM 2

3. monkeyb

Posts: 413; Member since: Jan 17, 2018

I read a post a couple of weeks back that Samsung may use Graphene in their future smartphones. I strongly believe that it and Solid State batteries are the tech everyone is and needs to focus on. If Samsung has cracked this, then this hire would be a great fit for Apple immediately.

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 8:33 PM 0

4. AbhiD

Posts: 851; Member since: Apr 06, 2012

If anything, Apple needs new battery tech the most. Those puny and cheap batteries aren't exactly helping it's cause.

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 8:45 PM 1

13. midan

Posts: 3097; Member since: Oct 09, 2017

what you mean, they use exact same batteries than everyone else. Also iPhones have great battery lifehttps://youtu.be/3_y8BGOP-vw

posted on Jan 24, 2019, 1:28 AM 0

17. Vancetastic

Posts: 1699; Member since: May 17, 2017

“Adequate” battery life would be more accurate, but whatever.

posted on Jan 24, 2019, 5:23 PM 0

6. cncrim

Posts: 1590; Member since: Aug 15, 2011

Bring it on. Any battery technology can last two day of use and charge 0%-100% in 5 minutes, I’m all for it.

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 9:24 PM 0

7. emvxl

Posts: 142; Member since: Sep 29, 2009

Maybe develop their own modem next?

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 10:47 PM 1

8. Peaceboy

Posts: 640; Member since: Oct 11, 2018

This is cool. Microled would be awesome and superior to Samsung’s OLED. Great battery though is fantastic news. They should have develop this before since they started non-removable batteries.

posted on Jan 23, 2019, 11:30 PM 0

15. mootu

Posts: 1537; Member since: Mar 16, 2017

Micro LED is being developed by all the major screen OEM's and Samsung is pretty much in the lead at the moment so Apple has a lot of catching up to do. Apples record of being late doesn't bode well for them, just look at things like Airpower, Homepod, Airplay2 etc.

posted on Jan 24, 2019, 2:20 AM 0

9. SIGPRO

Posts: 2817; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Fruit company will increase the price just watch and see. Charging a fruit phone takes ages, they are way behind because iOS sucks big time! But a lot of so called positive fruit news lately after all the bad news! Looks like the fruit propaganda trying to convince people otherwise.

posted on Jan 24, 2019, 12:38 AM 0

14. WingMan

Posts: 263; Member since: Mar 28, 2008

Unfortunately it takes ages to charge, because apple knows you will pay for a faster charger, so why bother including it with your purchase. iPhones can be charged quite rapidly, but not with what is included :/ Hopefully they will start including those, but it is unlikely. As for the OS it looks kinda dated