The next iPhones, the iPhone 16 series, are expected to include models with an all-new battery design, with battery life increased by a new, powerful processor. Everyone wants better battery life as well as more power, and there’s also the suggestion that we’ll be able to keep our iPhones longer. The entire iPhone 16 series could feature the same new processor – unlike the iPhone 15 series, which has one chip for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and a different one for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Will Apple change the battery for the iPhone 16 series?
Updated on July 3 with details on the new report on how the design will be updated with a new processor in multiple iPhone 16 models.
A new report claims the code was found by Nicolas Alvarez and shared with MacRumors reveals multiple IDs all with the same processor.
As the report states: “Apple’s iPhones typically link the ID to the chip. Everything with the A16 chip has an ID that starts with 15, and the previous devices that had an A15 chip all had an ID that started with 14. The same goes for the 13.x ID (A14) and the 12.x ID (A13 ). So evidence pointing to chips called iPhone17.1 alongside iPhone17.2 and the like suggests that every model in the new lineup this fall will have the same processor. And battery life is likely to benefit here as well, as the new chips can support efficiency along with power.”
That doesn’t mean the chips will be identical in every way. For example, it could have a different number of graphics cores, which is something Apple has done in the past, and the naming could be different, for example 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 group.
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 via a software update.
But it also makes another important change: it would mean that it’s much easier to replace the battery. Currently, battery replacement is difficult, requiring careful removal of the adhesive tapes using tweezers, which becomes more complicated if the tape breaks during removal, so heat or solvent is required to complete the operation. Changing the battery is also a complicated procedure.
With the new battery in a metal case and what is called Electrically Induced Adhesive Peeling technology, by applying a low voltage of electricity, the battery can be more easily removed from the chassis.
An easier and perhaps cheaper battery replacement process means that users can choose to keep their iPhones longer with a new battery instead of buying a new phone.
The new battery is believed to be found in some iPhone 16 models, though perhaps not all, with all models in the iPhone 17 range released in 2025 expected to see the new design.
Another angle to this story is the influence of the EU, which requires customer-friendly battery replacement in some circumstances. If the cell does not reach 83% of capacity after 500 full charges or 80% after 1000 full charges, then the phone should have more access to facilitate replacement. While all of the latest iPhone 15 models meet the 1.00 charge test, earlier phones do not.
Introducing new battery technology like this is a strong message for Apple, showing that iPhones can eventually be more durable.
