The next iPhones, the iPhone 16 series, are expected to feature models with a completely new battery design, with battery life boosted by a powerful new processor. Everyone wants better battery life and more power, and there’s also the suggestion that we’ll be able to keep our iPhones longer. The entire iPhone 16 lineup could feature the same new processor — unlike the iPhone 15 lineup, which has one chip for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and another for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Will Apple replace the battery for the iPhone 16 series?
Updated on July 3 with details of a new report on how the design will be updated with the new processor on multiple iPhone 16 models.
A new report claims the code was found and shared by Nicolás Alvarez MacRumors exposes multiple identifiers, all with the same processor.
As the report points out, “Apple iPhones typically combine an identifier with a chip. Everything with an A16 chip has an identifier starting with 15, and previous devices that had an A15 chip all had an identifier starting with 14. The same goes for the 13.x identifier (A14) and the 12.x identifier (A13 ).” Evidence pointing to chips named iPhone17 ,1 along with the iPhone17,2 and others like it indicate that every model of the new series this fall will have the same processor. And battery life is likely to benefit here as well, as new chips can push efficiency along with performance.”
This does not mean that the chips will be the same in every way. For example, there could be a different number of graphics cores, which Apple has done in the past, and the naming could be different, such as A18 and A18 Pro.
All this seems very likely: Apple Intelligence needs a powerful processor, and Apple will not want to leave the iPhone 16 out of the Apple Intelligence party.
The latest battery report coincides with earlier rumors that predicted a different outer material for the battery case, replacing the current foil with a metal case, according to The Information.
This could mean the next phone could have better thermal management and thus avoid the overheating controversy that dogged the iPhone 16 at launch, although it was quickly fixed with a software update.
But it also brings another important change: it would make changing the battery much easier. Right now, battery replacement is fiddly and requires careful removal of adhesive strips with tweezers, which becomes more complicated if the strip breaks during removal, requiring heat or solvent to complete the operation. Replacing the battery is also a complicated procedure.
Thanks to the new battery with a metal case and the so-called electrically induced adhesive peeling technology, by applying a low electric voltage, the battery can be removed from the chassis more easily.
An easier and possibly cheaper battery replacement process means users may choose to keep their iPhones longer with a new battery rather than buying a new phone.
The new battery is expected to be found in some iPhone 16 models, though perhaps not all, with the expectation that all iPhone 17 series models released in 2025 will see the new design.
Another angle to this story is the influence of the EU, which requires customer-friendly battery replacements under certain circumstances. If the cell does not reach 83% capacity after 500 full charges or 80% after 1000 full charges, then more phone access is required to facilitate replacement. While all the latest iPhone 15 models pass the 1.00 charge test, older phones do not.
The introduction of new battery technology like this is a strong message for Apple, showing that iPhones can be more durable after all.