The iPhone 16 Pro Max might follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and feature unique technology that won’t make it into the cheaper iPhone models until the next generation. Last year, the iPhone 15 Pro Max brought the tetraprism zoom camera, which should equip both iPhone 16 Pros this fall.
The upcoming Pro Max might feature a new battery technology that aims to address various issues Apple might have to deal with. Well-known leaker Ming-Chi Kuo said in an update on Medium that Apple will equip its largest phone with battery cells with increased energy density.
The immediate result could be longer battery life from a battery that is the same size as its predecessor or battery life on par with the previous model from a smaller battery.
Kuo explains that the new battery will run at higher temperatures because of the increase in energy density. Therefore, Apple will use a stainless steel battery case for the iPhone 16 Pro Max battery pack instead of aluminum:
Stainless steel is not as effective as aluminum in dissipating heat, but it is more robust and less susceptible to corrosion, so in addition to dissipating heat, the stainless steel battery case provides better protection for the battery and the iPhone system.
Using stainless steel cases will also help Apple reduce the difficulty of removing the iPhone battery. The company has to prepare for this, as the European Union has new laws on batteries in mobile devices. Smartphone batteries should be easier to replace in the future.
Kuo further says that if the production of this new design goes well and the feedback is favorable, Apple will use the tech in all 2025 iPhones.
What do rumors say?
We already have plenty of rumors about the iPhone 16 series, including battery details. Leakers say Apple will drop the L-shaped battery design used in previous iPhone Pro Max models. The iPhone 16 Pro Max will get a larger 4,676 mAh battery than the 4,422 mAh unit inside its predecessor.
Leaks have also said that Apple might switch to a metal battery case to improve heat dissipation. This would be in addition to a graphene thermal system, which should improve the iPhone’s overall heat dissipation.
Will Apple introduce stacked batteries?
I’ll also remind you of more distant iPhone 15 rumors that Apple was working on adapting stacked battery technology for the iPhone. Initially, reports said the iPhone 15 series would get the battery tech, with Samsung working on equipping the Galaxy S24 phones with similar batteries. Then, rumors said the tech would be ready for the iPhone 16 series.
Stacked batteries would be more efficient than traditional ones, allowing vendors to increase energy density and battery charging speeds.
Kuo’s report does not indicate that Apple is moving to a stacked battery design for the iPhone. But if his supply chain sources are correct, it sure looks like the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get different battery tech than the rest of the pack.
It’ll be interesting to see whether Apple details the battery design changes or it’ll be up to teardowns reviews to discover them.
