iPhone 5: Apple Needs to Work Magic with Li-Ion Battery

By Anu Passary | Jul 28, 2012 08:50 AM EDT

Previous image Enlarge Close Next image

Share This Story

Apple has been battling battery shortage rumors for its impending iPhone 5. Battery issues seem to be plaguing the Cupertino-based firm with dogged intensity. With the release of its 4-inch iPhone wonder around the corner, how will Apple approach the Li-Ion battery challenge in its upcoming device?

Noam Kedem, VP of marketing for Leyden Energy, believes that the iPhone 5 will have a much larger battery than any of its predecessors. "The iPhone 5 battery is going to have to be notably bigger than its predecessor," writes Kedem. "Even with the increase in battery's X and Y dimensions made possible by a larger screen, the result could still be shorter battery life-in terms of run-time per charge, cycle life and calendar life".

If Kedem's observations for Forbes are anything to go by, then size alone may not be enough to keep iPhone 5's battery woes at bay. The iPhone uses the Li-Ion battery, which have been commercially available since 1991 but not seen much progress in the last 20 years. The transistor density in the devices they power have increased massively by one thousand fold; however, the battery energy density has only shown a paltry three-fold increase by comparison.

Kedem averred that "Absent a change in battery chemistry, Li-ion is going to impose some limitations on where Apple can go with the iPhone 5's design and spec sheet".

The rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which cannot get replaced has been Apple's bane for a while now. Kedem believes that with the fabled iPhone 5 in the anvil, Apple will need to pull out a few rabbits from its hat. The Cupertino-giant will need to show more creativity when it comes to packing electronics around the iPhone, with the battery as the centrifugal point, so that it can maximize battery space constraints in its favor.

Another problem that dogs the battery is heat. This includes not only the heat generated whilst in use, but also when the device is being charged.

Currently, the iPad 3 has a Li-Ion power pack that is 70 percent bigger than that of its predecessor the iPad 2, yet the runtime offered is shorter. Moreover, heat is such a major issue with batteries that Apple has incorporated heat spreaders in the iPad 3 to aid in dispersing wasted energy and increases the device's battery life. The problems of battery life and heat are just the tip of the iceberg in Apple's battery battles.

With all eyes on the iPhone 5, the world will be waiting to scrutinize its performance with battery being a major concern. The question that faces Apple is will the iPhone survive the litmus test?

Kedem wrote that "The higher power requirements of the new features in the iPhone 5 will mean faster discharge. Consumer impatience requires making charging happen as fast as possible, but the more powerful battery needed in the iPhone 5 will naturally take more time to charge when using the same charger as the earlier iPhones".

Kedem goes on to warn that "Trying to reduce charge times with a more powerful charger would likely generate even more heat and further shorten battery life."

So, Will Apple succeed in ridding itself of the problems? Will the iPhone 5's features be the proverbial sacrificial lamb? Will Apple astound pundits by upping the battery quotient? Perhaps, the market innovators Apple have a few tricks up their sleeve that would take the smartphone world by storm and set a precedent, yet again.