Samsung once again draws inspiration from Apple for future Galaxy phones, here are the potential drawbacks

Samsung might be up to something and that "something" could be the result of spending too much time peeking into Apple's books.

Future Galaxy phones—starting with the mid-range Galaxy A series—might get a genuine-product authentication system for their batteries. Parts pairing (or serialization) has been Apple's way of doing business for quite some years now, but it appears that Sammy will join the party.

It's not official yet

The South Korean media outlet The Elec is pretty well informed when it comes to Samsung and its latest exclusive report is all about the possibility of battery serialization on upcoming Galaxy phones.

Samsung is reportedly planning to equip its Galaxy battery cells with security chips for genuine-product authentication. This, in theory, is aimed at preventing unauthorized batteries from being used in the first place, reducing the risk of fires occurring while charging or using the phone. Unofficially speaking, this means users might have to get spare batteries from Samsung itself (which will make shareholders happy, I guess).

50 million phones with such a chip next year

According to well-connected sources, Samsung is expected to install security chips in batteries for upcoming mid-range smartphones such as the Galaxy A series. This would reportedly be the first time Samsung has added a security feature to smartphone batteries specifically for genuine-product authentication.

As you know, Samsung recommends replacing batteries (when they reach the end of their life) at official service centers. However, some people choose unauthorized batteries from third-party stores because they are cheaper. The quality and safety of such batteries can be difficult to guarantee, potentially leading to battery damage or safety incidents.

The volume currently discussed is estimated at around 50 million units for next year alone. The security chips are expected to be supplied by US-based Analog Devices (ADI) and South Korean company ICTK. Samsung will manufacture the battery packs equipped with the chips, receiving the chips from the suppliers and connecting them to the battery pouches during the pack assembly process.

The unclonable function

Per the report, these security chips will use PUF (Physical Unclonable Function) technology. It acts like a unique digital fingerprint for a microchip, generating a one-of-a-kind security key based on the microscopic, unavoidable manufacturing variations present in every piece of silicon.

Because these unique keys are formed during the manufacturing process, it is difficult to reproduce or clone the same cryptographic value. The chips are reportedly expected to be manufactured using Samsung's 28nm foundry process.

It's about recycling, too

Authenticating whether a battery is genuine could also help with battery recycling, the report goes on. Lithium, one of the key minerals contained in batteries, can be recovered and recycled. So, by identifying the manufacturer and battery information, recyclers can apply processes suited to the battery's characteristics.

So far, this is a speculation. A Samsung Electronics representative said to the media outlet, "We cannot confirm the direction of technology development for next-generation products". Well, we'll keep an eye on it and will let you know if it becomes official.

Apple's way

Apple's iPhone battery verification system (also known as parts pairing or serialization) links cryptographically the microchip inside the battery directly to the phone's logic board.

When a battery is swapped (even if it is an authentic part harvested from an identical iPhone) iOS runs a check and displays an "Unknown Part" warning if the serial number is not officially registered with Apple's servers.

DIY enthusiasts face roadblocks because purchasing genuine replacement parts requires authorizing the repair through Apple's cloud-based diagnostic software to run a post-installation handshake. While an unverified replacement battery can physically power the phone, the persistent warning messages in system settings create a perception that the device is defective.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: up to $250 off

$449 ⁹⁹

$699 ⁹⁹

$250 off (36%)

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a premium wearable with a rugged yet lightweight design and all sorts of high-end features. It's also equipped with an 800mAh battery, offering plenty of battery life on a single charge. Right now, you can get it with a $250 discount, but an eligible device trade-in is required.

Buy at Samsung