Lithium-ion batteries, including those in iPhones, degrade over time and can no longer hold as much charge as they did when new. This can lead to a decrease in the phone’s usage time away from the charger. When the battery degrades significantly, the iPhone’s performance may also slow down due to iOS slowing down the processing power. However, replacing the battery is an option, although the current process can be challenging due to the strong adhesive used to secure the battery and the delicate cables that need to be removed and reattached.
There is a possibility that the iPhone 16 may have an easier battery removal process. According to a report from The Information, Apple is planning to wrap the battery in a metal casing instead of a foil one, which would allow for a new removal process. Instead of pulling on tabs to release the adhesive from the battery, a low voltage burst of electricity would be sent through the battery casing to release it from the iPhone. This new process is said to be safer and easier than the current system.
The change in battery design may not only make battery replacements easier but also improve battery capacity. Noted Apple leaker Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple will increase the battery density on the iPhone 16 line by 5 to 10%. This could result in longer battery life, but with the rollout of presumably power-hungry Apple Intelligence features on these new iPhones, the battery gains may quickly disappear. The report also indicates that while the battery replacement process may become easier, the rest of the iPhone repair process is not expected to become simpler.
