Apple's battery supplier TDK claims to develop new silicon batteries, to revolutionise smartphones, other tech

TDK Corp, a key supplier for Apple Inc., has unveiled a breakthrough in smartphone battery technology by introducing small-sized lithium-ion batteries with silicon electrodes. The company, the world’s largest smartphone battery manufacturer, is the first to apply this technological advancement, typically explored for electric vehicles, to smartphones. TDK began shipping these innovative batteries in the first half of 2023, marking a significant development in the pursuit of higher energy density for ever-slimmer devices. Using silicon electrodes in lithium-ion batteries is a step forward in energy storage, a critical focus for the industry. TDK’s rivals, such as Samsung SDI Co. and LG Energy Solution, are pursuing different approaches, including stacking materials for more compact batteries. Other alternatives range from graphene-based cells and solid-state batteries to hydrogen fuel cells and sodium-ion batteries. As the sole mass-producer of silicon-carbon batteries for smartphones, TDK has generated considerable interest, especially from handset manufacturers aiming to differentiate their products in a saturated market through ultra-thin devices with higher-capacity batteries. The new batteries are reported to offer 10 per cent more capacity than conventional graphite anode batteries, with the potential to increase capacity by 40 per cent or more, according to industry studies. The adoption of these silicon batteries is expected to extend battery life in various devices, including mobile game gadgets, wearables, and AI-related edge tools, while enabling slimmer designs. Analysts highlight examples like Honor Device Co.’s foldable smartphone, the Magic V2, which measures less than 10mm thick and is believed to incorporate TDK’s silicon-carbon dual battery. For TDK, the introduction of high-end batteries is seen as a strategy for sustainable growth in a commoditized industry. Although smartphone battery growth has been flat due to clients’ thin margins, TDK anticipates that the new products will constitute a double-digit percentage of its overall smartphone battery sales in terms of volume within the next few years. TDK Chief Executive Officer Noboru Saito emphasized the company’s commitment to developing new and evolving technology to meet the increasing demands for batteries, especially in the age of AI where connectivity is paramount. Saito expects batteries to remain a significant and sustainable pillar of TDK’s portfolio, catering to evolving technological needs. (With inputs from agencies)