Disappointed by your iPhone’s battery life? Apple might finally have a fix

Could smaller components mean bigger batteries?

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A new report indicates thatApplecould start using smaller components in future iPhone, iPad andMacBookdevices, to make way for larger batteries that would theoretically allow for extended battery life.

As reported on byMacRumors, thereportstates that Apple is planning to increase the adoption of IPD (integrated passive devices) for chips to be found in future Apple hardware. These chips should be simultaneously more powerful and compact, allowing more real estate for larger batteries.

The report explains: “Apple is expected to significantly increase the adoption of IPD (integrated passive devices) for new iPhones and other iOS products, providing robust business opportunities for manufacturing partners TSMC and Amkor, according to industry sources.

Peripheral chips for iPhones, iPad and MacBook series are going slimmer with higher performance to allow more space for larger-capacity battery solutions for the devices, with the demand for IPDs to grow sharply in line with the trend, the sources said.”

While the report makes no mention of theiPhone 13, or any upcoming Apple device, it does somewhat line up with leaks thatdiscuss the battery lifeof Apple’s upcoming flagship.

That said, those leaks don’t exactly bode well for the iPhone 13’s battery life, signaling a marginal upgrade at best. In that case, the phone might not be part of Apple’s components overhaul as a result of IPD integration. Instead, we may have to wait until 2022 for theiPhone 14and other Apple products of that year before we start seeing any notable improvements.

Analysis: Is battery life that big a deal?

It’s no big secret that Apple devices, particularly iPhones, have rarely offered battery life good enough to be a key selling point. In fact, Apple phones tend to  fall behind many Android alternatives in terms of battery life, including theSamsung Galaxy S21and theOnePlus Nord 2. And while theiPhone 12was a bit of an upgrade over its predecessors in this regard, there’s still much room for improvement.

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Apple’s battery woes extend beyond phones, though, and into the realm of smartwatches. TheApple Watch 6also failed to impress in terms of battery life. And while theApple Watch 7is tipped to feature a smaller processor andpotentially a larger battery as a result, we’re expecting this to be another marginal upgrade before Apple really shakes things up with IPD integration in the coming years.

Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.

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