Updated on July 3 with new report detailing how the design will be updated with a new processor in some iPhone 16 models.
The next iPhones, the iPhone 16 series, are expected to include models with a new battery design, enhanced battery life with a new and powerful processor. Everyone wants better battery life as well as more power and there is also a hint that we will be able to keep our iPhones longer. The entire iPhone 16 series could have the same new processor – unlike the iPhone 15 series which has one chip for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and another 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?
A new report claims that the code found by Nicolás Alvarez and shared with him MacRumors detects multiple identifiers all with the same processor.
As the report points out: “Apple iPhones typically link the identifier to the chip. Everything with an A16 chip has an identifier starting with 15, and previous devices that had an A15 chip all had an identifier starting with 14. The same goes for the 13,x identifier (A14) and the 12,x identifier ( A13 )” So evidence pointing to chips called iPhone17,1 alongside iPhone17,2 and similar ones suggests that every model in the new range this fall will have the same processor. And battery life is likely to be a beneficiary here, as the new chips can protect efficiency along with power.”
This does not mean that the chips will be identical in every way. For example, it could have different numbers of graphics cores, which 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 party.
The latest battery report chimes with previous rumors that envisioned a different outer material for the battery case, replacing the current sheet with a metal case, according to The Information.
This could mean the upcoming phone could have better thermal management and thus avoid the overheating controversy that fueled the iPhone 16 at launch, though it was quickly fixed by a software update.
But it also makes another important difference: it means it’s much easier to replace the battery. Right now, changing the battery is fiddly, requiring careful removal of adhesive strips using tweezers, which becomes more complicated if the tape breaks during removal, requiring heat or solvent to complete the operation. Replacing the battery is also a complicated procedure.
With the new metal case battery and what is called electrical induction adhesive release technology, by applying a low voltage of electricity, the battery can be more easily removed from the chassis.
An easier, and possibly cheaper, battery replacement process means users can choose to keep their iPhones longer with a fresh battery instead of buying a new phone.
The new battery is thought to be found in some iPhone 16 models, though perhaps not all, with the hope that all models in the iPhone 17 range released in 2025 will see the new design.
Another angle to this story is the impact of the EU, which requires customer-friendly battery replacement in some circumstances. If the phone does not reach 83% capacity after 500 full charges, or 80% after 1000 full charges, then the phone is required to have greater access to make replacement easier. While all the latest iPhone 15 models meet the 100-charge test, previous phones don’t.
Introducing a new battery technology like this is a strong message for Apple, showing that iPhones can be more durable after all.