The unsurprising reason why your iPhone doesn't have solid-state batteries yet - as good as they are

Source: ZDNet

The other day I reviewed a power bank with a solid‑state battery at its core, rather than a lithium‑ion battery. Solid‑state batteries offer increased energy density, improved safety, and a longer lifespan. To demonstrate the improved safety profile, I opened the power bank and stabbed a screwdriver into a fully charged battery; apart from a few wisps of smoke, nothing happened.

Also: I tested a solid‑state portable battery for a week – now lithium‑ion feels old school

Key takeaways

• Solid‑state batteries have significant advantages over lithium‑ion.
• At the top of the advantages list are increased safety and improved lifespan.
• The tech isn’t ready for the billions of batteries the industry would need.

Solid‑state versus lithium‑ion

Solid‑state batteries are next‑generation rechargeable batteries that use solid electrolytes (the material that carries the electric charge between the battery’s anode and cathode) instead of the liquid or gel electrolytes used in lithium‑ion batteries.

The electrolytes in lithium‑ion batteries are typically lithium salts dissolved in flammable organic solvents, whereas solid‑state batteries use various dry ceramics. This dry electrolyte is non‑flammable, significantly safer, and enables much higher energy densities. In addition, solid‑state batteries can charge faster than comparable lithium‑ion cells and offer more recharge cycles.

In almost every way, solid‑state beats lithium‑ion.

Billions of batteries every year

Ultimately, it comes down to cost. Lithium‑ion production has been refined over 30 years, delivering billions of cells annually.

Apple alone sold close to 250 million iPhones last year, each requiring a cheap yet reliable battery. The global smartphone market was roughly 1.25 billion to 1.6 billion units, and when you add laptops, earbuds, smartwatches, power banks, e‑cigarettes, and electric vehicles (which contain thousands of 18650 or 21700 cells), the demand is massive.

The supply chain for solid‑state batteries is nowhere near ready for this level of output. Manufacturing solid‑state cells is more complex, leading to lower yields. They are also more sensitive to vibration and can swell slightly during use—issues that clash with the rugged expectations of modern consumer electronics.

Low yields make solid‑state batteries four to eight times more expensive than comparable lithium‑ion cells.

Also: Why phone and laptop batteries explode – and 6 ways to protect yourself

What’s the ETA for large‑scale production?

Industry insiders say large‑scale production of solid‑state batteries is expected by the early 2030s. Only then might we see lithium‑ion batteries being phased out in favor of the newer technology.