Latest news with #siliconanode
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
iPhone supplier TDK readies batteries geared for thin AI gadgets
TDK's battery technology is helping the world's biggest smartphone makers slim down their gadgets without shortening battery run times. TDK Corp. is readying a new generation of batteries to power smartphones through AI tasks at a time that major client Apple Inc. is also preparing to launch a slimmer handset. The Tokyo-based component maker will begin shipping its third iteration of silicon-anode batteries by the end of June, chief executive officer Noboru Saito said. That's ahead of TDK's original schedule for shipments in the September quarter and may give smartphone makers enough time to use these cells in thinner models launching this year, he said. 'We've made good progress, and we're shipping them very soon,' he said in an interview. 'Some handset makers might be able to use the new battery in their product one generation early.' TDK's battery technology is helping the world's biggest smartphone makers slim down their gadgets without shortening battery run times. Its latest lithium-ion batteries use silicon for anodes instead of the graphite commonly used and can pack 15% more energy into the same space compared with conventional rechargeable battery packs. Samsung Electronics this week rolled out the 5.9-millimeter-thin Galaxy S25 Edge, which is 30% slimmer than the company's high-end S25 Ultra, while also promising a camera with new editing features and other AI capabilities. Apple is also set to debut a slimmer handset — the iPhone 17 Air — ushering in a new industrial design that may lead to thinner models from the Cupertino-based company in the future. Apple and Samsung are TDK's biggest customers, each contributing about 10% of the Japanese company's overall revenue, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Saito declined to disclose the new battery's pricing or its customers, but said TDK's offering the component to all customers who recognise the technology's value. Silicon-anode battery technology can be applied to a range of cell sizes for use in a variety of products, from gadgets to electric vehicles. TDK's battery subsidiary Amperex Technology is the leading manufacturer of smaller silicon batteries used in smartphones and holds a 'very large share,' according to Saito. 'We plan to introduce fourth-generation silicon batteries some time in the next fiscal year to widen our lead even further,' he said. 'Mass-producing silicon batteries requires special knowhow. It's not like you can do it by just putting the materials together.' TDK expects global smartphone production to grow 1% to 12 billion units this year, although it's warned that US trade policies may ultimately erase that growth. Last month, the company presented its annual outlook as a range rather than a single number for the first time, citing uncertainty around US tariffs. Companies need to be ready to react to developments outside their control and be dynamic and flexible in response to customer requests, Saito said. For TDK, that means diversifying production locations. Amperex has mainly assembled batteries in China, but it's setting up a new factory in India that'll go online by September. Initial production capacity at the Indian facility is not large, but it's not difficult to produce silicon batteries on graphite battery production lines, Saito said while declining to disclose which batteries TDK plans to make there. More manufacturers are building manufacturing capabilities outside China, with Apple expanding capacity in India and Nintendo Co. doing so in Vietnam and Cambodia. Saito said that how TDK allocates production between China and India will hinge on customer requests. Life offers OpenAI's GPT-4.1 access free to mobile subscribers Qualcomm unveils new smartphone chip in shift to its own designs Tech news in less than 5 minutes – October 2024 Read more stories about where the money flows, and analysis of the biggest market stories from Singapore and around the World Get in-depth insights from our expert contributors, and dive into financial and economic trends Follow the market issue situation with our daily updates Or want more Lifestyle and Passion stories? Click here
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Forbes
iPhone 17 Air Might Beat The Galaxy S25 Edge With This Battery Upgrade
Leaked iPhone 17 Air hands-on image Majin Bu on X (formerly Twitter) Samsung and Apple are in a race to deliver the slimmest phone possible in 2025. While Samsung has already released its Galaxy S25 Edge, the long-rumored Apple iPhone 17 Air is tipped to launch in September. One has launched with foreseeable trade-offs like fewer cameras and a smaller battery capacity, the other is expected to struggle with battery life and have just one rear camera. However, a recent report hints that iPhone 17 Air's battery life might not be as bad as expected. According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple and Samsung battery supplier TDK is all set to begin shipping its third iteration of silicon-anode batteries by the end of June—earlier than its original schedule of September. Noboru Saito, Chief Executive Officer at TDK, said this will 'give smartphone makers enough time to use these cells in thinner models launching this year.' 'Some handset makers might be able to use the new battery in their product one generation early,' says Saito. The mention of 'one generation early' could indicate that Samsung is using silicon-carbon batteries for its next Galaxy Z lineup. However, adding the previous statement's 'thinner models launching this year' makes it pretty clear that he was hinting at the iPhone 17 Air. Apple was earlier rumored to embrace silicon-anode batteries on its second-generation iPhone Air, but now we can expect the first-generation product to struggle less with battery life. OnePlus 13 and iPhone 16 Pro Prakhar Khanna Smartphone makers have tried making thin phones in the past, but the tech wasn't enough to house big batteries in slim designs. As a result, they struggled with battery life. Fast forward to 2025, and we have silicon-carbon batteries, which feature a higher-density silicon anode (4,200mAh/g) instead of a graphite anode (372mAh/g). So, you get more battery capacity in a slimmer cell, allowing brands to squeeze in bigger batteries. This year, we've seen silicon-carbon batteries inside Chinese smartphones like the OnePlus 13, Oppo Find X8 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Honor Magic 7 Pro, and Vivo X200 Pro. Most of these phones last significantly longer than their American competitors. In fact, Honor's silicon-carbon battery tech is already on its third generation. If Apple packs a silicon-carbon battery inside the iPhone 17 Air, it could last longer than expected. Plus, iOS 19 is reported to feature AI optimization to 'analyze how a person uses their device and make adjustments to conserve energy.' In his earlier Bloomberg report, Mark Gurman added, 'using battery data it has collected from users' devices to understand trends and make predictions for when it should lower the power draw of certain applications or features.' The combination of silicon-carbon battery and iOS 19 optimization could be a recipe for success against Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge. According to previous leaks, iPhone 17 Air could be Apple's thinnest iPhone to date. It could measure around 5.5mm, which is slightly thicker than Apple's slimmest product, the M4 iPad Pro (5.1mm). For comparison, the Galaxy S25 Edge measures 5.8mm in thickness. Meanwhile, the Tecno Spark Slim concept phone, showcased at MWC 2025 as the world's thinnest phone, was said to be 5.75mm thin. The iPhone 17 Air won't be a spec-heavy phone. Even if Apple manages to navigate the battery issues, it likely won't be able to house multiple rear cameras. The slim Apple iPhone is said to sport a single camera in a Nexus 6P-like camera module. It will retain the Action Button and Camera Control. The iPhone 17 Air could feature a 6.6-inch ProMotion-equipped OLED display with ultra-slim bezels. Apple reportedly considered making the iPhone 17 Air as large as iPhone 16 Pro Max with a 6.9-inch display but scrapped the idea due to durability concerns. Apple's upcoming slim phone is expected to be powered by the A18 or A19 series chipset, putting it on par with the base iPhone 17. It might have 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence and include Apple's new in-house C1 modem, which debuted with the iPhone 16e. It is said to debut alongside the iPhone 17 series in September. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to cost more than the iPhone 17 but less than the iPhone 17 Pro. As per Bloomberg, it might be priced around $900.
CNET
16-05-2025
- CNET
The Rumored iPhone 17 Air Might Have a Surprising Way to Deal With Battery Life
The rumored iPhone 17 Air has created buzz with the prospect of a slimmed-down iPhone. But one nagging question has lingered: Would a skinny iPhone have to sacrifice battery life? The latest rumor, reported by AppleInsider, is that a skinnier iPhone might use a silicon-anode battery that could help extend its battery life. DigiTimes first reported that Japanese supplier TDK was preparing a supply of silicon-anode batteries that could store about 15% more energy compared to graphite-based batteries of the same size. Silicon battery technology could be new to iPhone, but some other smartphones -- like the Magic V3, the world's thinnest book-style foldable phone -- have already begun using silicon carbon batteries. The rumored iPhone 17 Air, expected to be introduced this fall as the newest device in the iPhone line, could potentially replace the Plus in the iPhone lineup. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Japan's TDK accelerates launch of next-generation battery
TOKYO, May 16 (Reuters) - Electronic components manufacturer TDK Corp (6762.T), opens new tab is accelerating the launch of its next-generation silicon anode batteries, with preparations running ahead of schedule and demand from smartphone makers. Apple-supplier (AAPL.O), opens new tab TDK was due to start shipping the third generation of its batteries this summer but will begin "very soon," CEO Noboru Saito told Reuters. Silicon anode batteries offer higher energy density than conventional batteries although they remain a small part of the business at TDK, the leading producer of smartphone batteries. The company aims to introduce its fourth-generation battery "sometime next year," Saito said. TDK said last month more than half its capital expenditure over the next three years would be on its energy segment, which includes batteries. The company, founded in 1935, was once well known for its cassette tapes but is now a major manufacturer of batteries, sensors and capacitors. Its annual forecast, announced last month, included both a base and a risk scenario as U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war creates heightened uncertainty. The biggest impact could be on the U.S. market, affecting demand for smartphones and other electronics, said Saito, who has been CEO since 2022. "I remain concerned," Saito said.
CNA
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
Japan's TDK accelerates launch of next-generation battery
TOKYO :Electronic components manufacturer TDK Corp is accelerating the launch of its next-generation silicon anode batteries, with preparations running ahead of schedule and demand from smartphone makers. Apple-supplier TDK was due to start shipping the third generation of its batteries this summer but will begin "very soon," CEO Noboru Saito told Reuters. Silicon anode batteries offer higher energy density than conventional batteries although they remain a small part of the business at TDK, the leading producer of smartphone batteries. The company aims to introduce its fourth-generation battery "sometime next year," Saito said. TDK said last month more than half its capital expenditure over the next three years would be on its energy segment, which includes batteries. The company, founded in 1935, was once well known for its cassette tapes but is now a major manufacturer of batteries, sensors and capacitors. Its annual forecast, announced last month, included both a base and a risk scenario as U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war creates heightened uncertainty. The biggest impact could be on the U.S. market, affecting demand for smartphones and other electronics, said Saito, who has been CEO since 2022.
