Google is about to become the second big manufacturer to cave in to silicon-carbon batteries. According to an interview, Google is looking at the tech, potentially fixing a major weakness in Pixel phones.
Google confirms looking into silicon-carbon battery tech
Chinese smartphone companies are several years ahead when it comes to silicon-carbon battery tech. | Image by Honor
The information comes from our colleagues and good friends at Android Headlines. Speaking with an unnamed Google product manager, the publication asked about silicon-carbon batteries.
The Google representative told Android Headlines that silicon-carbon batteries "are something the company's looking at."
However, there are things to consider before bringing the big battery upgrade to the next Pixel device.
Would you buy a Pixel phone with a silicon-carbon battery?
307 Votes
Google's concerns with silicon-carbon batteries
Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is rated at 1200 charge cycles compared to the 2000 cycles on the S26 series. | Image by EPREL
The main concern Google has with this tech is longevity. It's true that silicon-carbon batteries offer a higher energy density, or more capacity per volume, but this comes with downsides.
Real-world use and testing data indicate that some silicon-carbon cells can lose capacity more rapidly over their first 2 to 3 years compared to traditional graphite cells.
The reasons are still being researched, but they're down to the fact that silicon expands during charging. These batteries also have higher internal resistance because silicon has lower electrical conductivity than graphite.
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Nevertheless, Chinese smartphone manufacturers have been using the tech for years now, and this is one of the reasons we're seeing 10,000 mAh battery phones getting more and more mainstream.
Samsung also caved in and embraced the silicon-carbon battery tech in its latest foldables.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Samsung embracing silicon-carbon
Samsung announcing the silicon-carbon battery of the Z Fold 8 Ultra. | Image by Samsung
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 series was the first Samsung foldable device to sport silicon-carbon batteries. The Korean company got onboard with the tech, albeit in a very safe and conservative way.
The battery upgrades are quite modest, and if we look at specs alone, we wouldn't suspect silicon-carbon tech underneath. Samsung is playing it very safe, and I can't blame them. Some of us still remember the huge Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, and there are cases of exploded batteries in Galaxy devices popping up from time to time even nowadays.
Pixel 12 could be the first Google smartphone with a silicon-carbon battery
The next Pixel 12 lineup could feature silicon-carbon battery tech. | Image by Google
Leaving Google's product manager cautious and PR-ready words aside, the sentiment is clear. The next Pixel device might come with a silicon-carbon battery on board. Pixel phones have always been criticized for their less-than-stellar battery life. Google has a chance to fix this, and I personally think the company will take that risk.
This would leave Apple, the only company of the big three (Apple, Samsung, and Google), missing the silicon carbon train. There were some rumors the iPhone 18 could get a silicon-carbon battery, but most industry insiders and analysts think Apple's not ready with the tech.
So, jumping on the silicon-carbon train early could potentially yield big gains for Google.
Read more about smartphone battery tech here:
Smartphone solid-state batteries are almost here, now that scientists have cracked the code
User-replaceable batteries are something people apparently want in their phones
Smartphones must have user-replaceable batteries by 2027. But not your iPhone. Here's why
Samsung Galaxy phones are reportedly finally getting silicon-carbon batteries with larger capacities
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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