After the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, the two previously only imaginable models iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max came onto the market today. Despite the many improvements compared to the 2019 iPhone generation, buyers have to accept one disadvantage: the battery capacity has decreased compared to the 11 series models.
Although the smaller batteries are supposed to be compensated for by a more energy-efficient chip (and the battery runtimes remain the same with the exception of 5G), various users in online forums and social networks were already irritated by Apple’s shrinking strategy. Better a slightly thicker case for larger batteries than another slimming diet, so the critics’ credo. The outlook for the iPhone 13 next year is not likely to make the proponents of large batteries any milder – according to a report, Apple is planning another reduction in the integrated battery capacity. The runtime should not suffer as a result, on the contrary, it should improve.
New battery technology for longer runtimes
The reliable supplier insider Ming-Chi Kuo according to Apple is planning a new battery technology called “Soft Board” for the iPhone 13, which should enable more energy to be extracted from a smaller form factor than before. In conjunction with the A-Chip of the upcoming iPhone generation, which is expected to become more energy-efficient again, the battery life could even increase, although the built-in battery is smaller than that of the iPhone 12.Apple also has the option of reducing the battery to such an extent that the battery life in Compared to the iPhone 12 remains unchanged. An even slimmer and lighter iPhone case would be conceivable.
Apple supplier Jialianyi will provide around half of the soft board batteries required for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, according to Kuo. The Chinese company could double sales next year because of the great demand from Apple. Jialianyi is also considered a likely supplier of components for the mini LED panel that is expected to be used in the next iPad Pro.
More energy efficient always-on display?
In addition to Soft Board, the iPhone 13 is to receive other components that are more energy efficient than their counterparts from the iPhone 12. According to one, these include report OLED displays with a lower energy requirement than before, which consume 10 to 20 percent less electricity than previous versions. As an alternative to longer battery life, Apple might have the opportunity to implement an always-on display like the Apple Watch. But there is still no concrete evidence in this regard.