The smartphone landscape is constantly evolving, with manufacturers vying for dominance in features, performance, and user experience. One crucial aspect that has consistently demanded improvement is battery life. While fast charging has offered a partial solution, the fundamental need for larger, more efficient batteries remains. Now, it appears that industry giants Samsung and Apple are intensifying their efforts to address this very issue, potentially through groundbreaking advancements in battery technology.
Recent reports suggest that both Samsung and Apple are exploring innovative approaches to significantly increase battery capacity in their future devices. A key focus of this research lies in the adoption of new materials, with high-silicon emerging as a particularly promising candidate. Compared to conventional materials used in battery anodes, high silicon boasts a significantly higher capacity per unit weight. This translates to the potential for smaller, lighter batteries that can hold considerably more charge. Beyond simply extending battery life, the use of high-silicon can also contribute to faster charging speeds, addressing another common user pain point.1
This pursuit of enhanced battery technology has sparked a veritable race among smartphone manufacturers, with each company eager to be the first to implement these advancements in their products. The implications are significant: longer usage times, reduced reliance on power banks, and a more seamless mobile experience.
Samsung, in particular, is reportedly taking a proactive approach to battery development. The South Korean tech giant is said to be directly involved in the research and development of new battery materials, including both anode and cathode components. This indicates a commitment to not just adopting existing technologies, but also pioneering entirely new battery units designed specifically for future Galaxy devices. This internal development could give Samsung a crucial edge in the battery race, allowing them to tailor battery technology to their specific hardware and software needs.
This push for greater battery capacity comes at a time when Chinese smartphone manufacturers are aggressively pushing the boundaries of battery size. Rumors suggest that some Chinese vendors are preparing to launch devices with massive 7000mAh and even 8000mAh batteries shortly. These high-capacity batteries aim to provide users with multi-day usage without compromising on device thickness. This aggressive approach from Chinese competitors puts pressure on established players like Samsung and Apple to innovate and keep pace.
While battery capacity isn’t the sole determinant of battery life (software optimization and power management also play crucial roles), a larger battery cell inherently provides a greater potential for extended usage. As such, hardware-level battery upgrades are becoming increasingly essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the smartphone market. Currently, Samsung’s flagship devices typically feature batteries capped at around 5000mAh, a figure matched by Apple’s offerings. However, the emergence of Chinese phones with significantly larger batteries is poised to reshape consumer expectations and potentially set a new industry standard by 2026.
Beyond the general push for better batteries, insights have also emerged regarding Samsung’s plans for its upcoming foldable devices. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, expected to launch in the middle of this year, are rumored to be more iterative updates rather than groundbreaking redesigns. While the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition showcased Samsung’s ability to create slim foldable phones with impressive camera systems, it appears that major changes for the foldable lineup are being reserved for future iterations, specifically the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8.
A report originating from South Korea, based on an interview with Fastprint (a key supplier for Samsung), indicates that Samsung has set ambitious sales targets for its foldable phones. The company reportedly aims to sell 6 million units of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7 combined. However, this target increases to 7 million units for the subsequent models, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8. This suggests that Samsung anticipates more significant consumer interest in the next generation of foldable devices, likely due to more substantial design or feature improvements.
The same report also sheds light on Samsung’s overall smartphone sales projections for the year. The company aims to sell approximately 230 million smartphones in 2025. While this is a significant number, it represents a decline from the pre-pandemic figures of over 300 million units in 2019. The global pandemic significantly impacted the smartphone market, and sales have yet to fully recover to those previous levels. Last year, Samsung’s total smartphone sales were estimated to be around 222 million units.
Finally, the report offers insights into the performance of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series. The Galaxy S24 series reportedly performed well, with sales reaching 35 million units in 2024, surpassing the sales figures of the Galaxy S23 series. Samsung anticipates even greater success with the Galaxy S25 series, projecting sales of 37 million units this year. This projection includes the production of 13-14 million units of the Galaxy S25, 6-7 million units of the Galaxy S25+, and 17 million units of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. If these projections prove accurate, the Galaxy S25 series could outperform the highly successful Galaxy S10 series, which sold approximately 35 million units.
In conclusion, the smartphone industry is on the cusp of significant advancements in battery technology. The race between Samsung, Apple, and other manufacturers to implement high-capacity batteries using innovative materials like high-silicon is set to redefine user expectations and drive further innovation in the mobile space. While the immediate future may bring incremental updates to existing devices, the long-term outlook points towards a future of longer-lasting, more powerful smartphones.