Tipster Majin Bu on X has shared some images of the iPhone 16’s battery pack. Surprisingly, the battery now has a metal casing instead of the usual soft foil packaging. Although it initially looks like dummy units, a closer inspection shows it to be an actual battery, with an additional metal casing on top of the plastic foil packaging.
The metal casing will reportedly improve the heat dissipation
The battery pack retains its familiar shape but now boasts a higher 3,597mAh capacity compared to the iPhone 15’s 3349 mAh. The battery capacity is engraved on the metal surface.
While the exact reason behind Apple’s shift back to a hard casing design is unclear, reports suggest it could be aimed at improving heat dissipation. The iPhone 15 series did suffer from overheating issues post-launch. Though subsequent software updates have largely resolved this for most users, this change in the battery could further enhance heat management.
Inside the metal casing could be a different battery tech
The iPhone 13 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max weigh a hefty 240 grams, which is heavier than the book-style foldable Honor Magic V2 (231g). Last year, Apple replaced the stainless steel middle frame with titanium, making the iPhone 15 Pro Max 19 grams lighter than its predecessor.
The extra metal casing for the battery will make the iPhone 16 heavier than the 171-gram iPhone 15. The higher battery capacity is also expected to contribute to the device's weight.
Additionally, the use of a metal casing occupies significant internal space, which was one of the major reasons smartphone makers switched to thinner plastic foil packaging. The soft packaging is also safer as it allows gas to expand and exit the battery pack easily in case of an accident, minimizing risk to the user.
That said, there might be new battery technology inside that necessitates a hard casing but doesn’t carry the same explosion risk. It might also offer a higher energy density; otherwise, the phone would have to become thicker to accommodate the 3597mAh metal-encased battery. For example, the vivo X Fold3 Pro houses a 5700mAh battery (the largest battery in a foldable) using relatively new Silicon carbide (Si/C) composite material.
