Driven by consumer demand for increasingly durable smartphones, technology giants are redoubling their efforts to enhance battery performance. This new challenge also addresses the industry’s need to reduce its environmental footprint.
Despite significant progress since the advent of smartphones in the early 2000s, battery capacity remains a critical point due to the growing intensity of app usage. Leading manufacturers such as Samsung, LG Chem, and Panasonic are competing in innovation to achieve greater autonomy, faster recharges, and reduce dependence on strategic metals.
Currently, most phones use lithium-ion batteries, which, while efficient, accumulate rare metals and degrade over time. Alternative technologies such as lithium-sulfur, lithium-carbon, and graphene are being explored, aiming to extend device lifespan and decrease reliance on critical materials.
Companies like Honor are developing silicon-carbon batteries to improve energy efficiency. Samsung is working on a prototype battery with a solid electrolyte, offering higher energy density and no risk of explosion. It is expected to be available by 2027.
The race for battery innovation not only seeks to meet market demand but also responds to regulations, such as the European Union directive requiring recycled batteries by 2027. This technological push, although with uncertain outcomes, reflects an unprecedented investment in battery development, with the anticipation of new technologies in the future.