This new feature of the iPhone 16 Pro Max will start a change in the smartphone industry

A few weeks ago we reported that Apple could increase the autonomy of the iPhone 16 Pro Max by integrating a battery whose cells benefit from a higher energy density. This development would make it possible to increase the capacity of the battery without having to increase its size.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the cell density will be 5% to 10% higher than the previous generation batteries used by Apple. We have already highlighted the generous autonomy of the device in our iPhone 15 Pro Max test, so its successor could do even better.

A battery that can be easily replaced in all smartphones

To achieve this performance without fear of overheating and product safety issues, Apple would encase the battery in a stainless steel casing. As Kuo points out, the switch to this material would also allow the Apple brand to prepare for a major shift in the smartphone industry.

The European Union will require manufacturers to make battery replacement easier from 2027. We should not expect a big comeback like removable batteries did then, but users with a little ingenuity can replace their smartphone battery themselves, to that extent.

Using a stainless steel battery case is definitely the first step to make it easier to replace the iPhone battery. Apple is already starting to think about the future, and if the adoption of this technology on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is successful, it is certain that all models in the iPhone 17 series will have this technology.

Any brand that wants to market their devices in Europe will need to comply with this new legislation, and it remains to be seen whether they too will switch to stainless steel or have other ideas that will make it easier to safely remove and replace the battery.