As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integrated into smartphones, batteries are emerging as a critical competitive factor.
According to the smartphone industry on July 13, Samsung Electronics and Apple are focusing on increasing battery capacity and improving power efficiency for their upcoming flagship smartphones. While recent competition has centered on camera quality, application processors, and display performance, the advent of AI suggests that battery life will significantly influence product competitiveness.
The shift to on-device AI, which handles functions like real-time translation, generative photo editing, AI assistants, voice summarization, and document creation directly on the device, has led to increased usage of processors, memory, and batteries. Industry experts believe that as more AI features are integrated, ensuring battery efficiency will become increasingly important.
Reports indicate that Samsung is testing a battery capacity of 5,600 to 5,800 mAh for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. This marks a significant change, as Samsung's flagship smartphones have consistently featured a 5,000 mAh battery since the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Samsung has stated that it cannot confirm these reports.
Apple is also moving to increase battery capacity. Supply chain sources suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature a battery exceeding 5,500 mAh for the U.S. model. With improvements in the A20 processor's power efficiency, it is anticipated that this could lead to the longest usage time ever.
Battery technology advancements are also a point of interest. Samsung is reportedly considering the application of silicon-carbon (Si-C) batteries, which offer higher energy density than traditional graphite anodes, allowing for increased battery capacity without altering smartphone thickness. Chinese smartphone manufacturers have already begun implementing batteries exceeding 6,000 mAh.
While Samsung and Apple have historically maintained conservative battery strategies, the AI era may prompt a shift in their approaches. Market research firms are increasingly identifying AI capabilities and battery life as key factors influencing smartphone purchasing decisions.
An industry insider noted, "In the age of AI phones, simply enhancing processor performance will not suffice; power efficiency and battery technology must also be prioritized. The introduction of silicon-carbon batteries could become a significant competitive factor in the next-generation smartphone market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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