If you’ve been eyeing the latest smartphones, you might’ve noticed something exciting: Chinese flagship phones like the OnePlus 13, Vivo X200 Pro, and Redmi Note 14 Pro+ are boasting massive batteries—some as big as 7,000mAh—packed into sleek, slim designs. These devices are powered by a new kid on the block: silicon-carbon (Si/C) batteries. They promise longer battery life, faster charging, and thinner phones. Sounds like a dream, right? But here’s the kicker—tech giants Apple and Samsung, the heavyweights of the smartphone world, are sticking with the same old lithium-ion batteries for their 2025 lineups, including the iPhone 17 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, set to launch later in the year and next week, respectively. Why are these industry leaders lagging behind? Let’s dive into the reasons, and trust me, it’s more intriguing than you might think.
ALSO READ: What (exactly) causes interference during phone calls?
What’s the Deal with Silicon-Carbon Batteries?
Before we get to why Apple and Samsung are holding back, let’s talk about what makes silicon-carbon batteries so special. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which use graphite in the anode (the part that stores energy), Si/C batteries use a silicon-carbon composite. Silicon can hold up to 10 times more lithium ions than graphite, meaning you get more power in the same space—or the same power in a smaller, lighter package. For example, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro crams a 5,700mAh battery into a super-slim 5.2mm foldable, while Samsung’s chunkier Galaxy Z Fold 6 only manages 4,400mAh with lithium-ion tech. Si/C batteries also charge faster and could be more environmentally friendly since silicon is abundant and doesn’t rely on rare metals like cobalt.
Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor are all in, with phones like the Realme GT7 Pro rocking a 6,500mAh battery and 120W charging speeds. These are game-changers for users tired of carrying power banks or hunting for outlets by midday. So, with all these perks, why are Apple and Samsung still clinging to lithium-ion for their 2025 flagships?
1: Playing It Safe After Past Blunders:
If there’s one thing Samsung and Apple have learned, it’s that battery mishaps can be catastrophic. Remember the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco in 2016? Exploding batteries led to a global recall, costing Samsung billions and tanking its reputation. Apple’s had its own headaches, like the iPhone battery slowdown scandal in 2017, where older devices were throttled to preserve aging batteries. Both companies are gun-shy about unproven tech, and silicon-carbon batteries, while promising, come with risks.
Silicon anodes expand up to 300% when charged, which can stress the battery’s structure and lead to faster degradation over time. Even with carbon added to stabilize things, Si/C tech is still new in mass-market smartphones. Chinese brands like Honor and Vivo are willing to take the gamble, but they produce fewer units. Samsung and Apple ship hundreds of millions of devices annually, so any flaw would be a PR and financial nightmare. They’d rather stick with lithium-ion, which they’ve perfected over decades, than roll the dice on a tech that’s only been in consumer hands for a couple of years
2: Cost and Scale Are Big Hurdles
Building batteries isn’t cheap, and silicon-carbon tech is pricier than lithium-ion. The manufacturing process for Si/C anodes is complex, requiring pure silica and proprietary techniques that drive up costs. For smaller players like OnePlus, experimenting with Si/C in flagship phones is manageable—they don’t need to produce batteries for millions of units. But Apple and Samsung? They’re in a different league. Samsung’s Galaxy S-series alone sells tens of millions of units yearly, and Apple’s iPhone is the world’s best-selling smartphone, with the iPhone 16 topping charts in Q1 2025. Switching to Si/C would mean overhauling their supply chains and investing heavily in new production facilities, which could jack up phone prices.
Right now, lithium-ion batteries are a known quantity—reliable, cost-effective, and easy to produce at scale. Apple and Samsung have optimized their devices to squeeze every drop of efficiency out of lithium-ion, with tricks like power-efficient chips (think Apple’s A-series or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite) and software tweaks that extend battery life. For instance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery lasts nearly as long as the OnePlus 13’s 6,000mAh Si/C battery in real-world tests, thanks to Samsung’s optimization. Why spend billions on a new tech when the old one still gets the job done?
3: Waiting for the Tech to Mature
Apple and Samsung aren’t just sitting on their hands—they’re watching and learning. Both companies are reportedly working on silicon-carbon batteries, with rumors pointing to adoption in 2026 for the Galaxy S26 and possibly the iPhone 17 Air or future models. They’re likely waiting for the tech to iron out its kinks. Early Si/C batteries had issues with swelling and electrolyte reactivity, which could reduce lifespan or efficiency over time. While Chinese manufacturers like Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) have made strides in stabilizing Si/C batteries, Apple and Samsung want more real-world data to ensure durability and safety.
This cautious approach isn’t new. Apple, especially, has a history of waiting until a technology is “mature” before jumping in. Think about how long it took them to adopt USB-C or high-refresh-rate displays. Samsung’s no different—while they’re quicker to experiment with foldables, they’re conservative with batteries after the Note 7 debacle. By letting brands like Vivo and Xiaomi play guinea pig, Apple and Samsung can study the results, refine the tech, and roll it out when it’s bulletproof.
4: Thin Phones, Big Risks
The iPhone 17 series and Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are all about sleek designs. Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air will be Apple’s thinnest phone yet, and Samsung’s Fold 7 and Flip 7 are pushing for slimmer profiles to compete with foldables like the Honor Magic V2, which uses Si/C to stay ultra-thin at 9.9mm. You’d think Si/C would be perfect for these devices, right? After all, it allows bigger batteries in smaller spaces. But here’s the catch: thinner phones mean tighter tolerances, and Si/C’s expansion issues could cause structural problems in super-slim designs. Lithium-ion batteries, while less energy-dense, are more predictable and easier to integrate into compact chassis without risking cracks or swelling.
5: They Don’t Need to Rush—Yet
Let’s be honest: Apple and Samsung are still the kings of the smartphone world. Despite Chinese brands making waves, the iPhone 16 series dominated sales in Q1 2025, and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra remains a fan favorite. Their brand loyalty and ecosystem lock-in (think iCloud or Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem) mean they don’t have to chase every trend to stay competitive. While a 6,000mAh Si/C battery sounds nice, most users are happy with a phone that lasts a full day, and both companies deliver that with lithium-ion. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, for example, matches the endurance of Si/C-powered phones like the OnePlus 13, despite its smaller 5,000mAh battery.
Plus, Apple and Samsung are focusing on other ways to improve battery life. Software optimizations, like iOS 19’s power management or Samsung’s One UI, and efficient chipsets are squeezing more juice out of lithium-ion batteries. They’re also investing in fast-charging tech—Samsung’s 45W and Apple’s rumored 30W for the iPhone 17 series aren’t far behind competitors. Why overhaul your battery tech when you can keep customers happy with what you’ve got?
What’s Next for Apple and Samsung?
Don’t count Apple and Samsung out just yet. The rumor mill is buzzing about silicon-carbon batteries for 2026. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series could pack up to 7,000mAh batteries, and Apple’s working on custom Si/C batteries that might debut in the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 18. Samsung’s even testing Si/C in its upcoming tri-foldable phone, with a limited 200,000-unit run to gauge performance. These moves suggest both companies are gearing up for the switch—they’re just waiting for the right moment.
A Game of Patience or a Missed Opportunity?
Apple and Samsung’s decision to stick with lithium-ion batteries for the iPhone 17 series and Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 isn’t laziness—it’s a calculated choice. They’re prioritizing safety, cost, scalability, and reliability over jumping on the silicon-carbon bandwagon. While Chinese brands like OnePlus and Vivo are dazzling us with massive batteries and sleek designs, they’re taking risks that Apple and Samsung, with their massive market share and past battery scandals, can’t afford. But make no mistake: the pressure’s on. As Si/C tech matures and competitors keep pushing the envelope, 2026 could be the year Apple and Samsung finally join the revolution. Until then, their 2025 phones will keep you powered through the day—just don’t expect them to blow your mind with battery life. **Call to Action** What do you think? Are Apple and Samsung smart to play it safe, or are they falling behind? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s talk about what you want from your next phone’s battery!
