If leaked images prove correct, Apple will adopt a new design for the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery featuring a metal shell on top. This could help with heat dissipation.
Like current iPhones, the purported iPhone 16 Pro battery has an L-shaped design. However, it has a capacity of 3,355mAh. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro uses a 3,274mAh capacity cell.
iPhone 16 Pro’s battery could use a metal backplate
The photos of the alleged iPhone 16 Pro prototype battery were shared by leaker Kosutami on X. Apple has so far used a foil covering on iPhone batteries. A metal plate could help dissipate the heat generated while topping up the battery.
The images also show a redesigned battery connector, though that’s unlikely to mean any user-facing changes.
Battery of early stage iPhone 16 Pro Proto
Features glossy metal shell, 3355mAh Capacity(13.02Wh), LCV 4.48V(Limited Charge Voltage)
Current stage prototype has changed some design: from glossy surface to frosted metal shell, and with a redesigned connector#Apple #appleinternal pic.twitter.com/QvguZ7CrtL— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) November 20, 2023
Apple typically relies on increasingly efficient chips, displays and other components to make each new version of the iPhone last longer than the previous one. The company sometimes adds a slight boost in battery capacity. So, the modest capacity bump in the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery over the iPhone 15 Pro should not be a cause for concern.
Metal backplate could help iPhone 16 Pro battery life due to better heat dissipation
iPhone 15 Pro users initially complained of heating issues caused by an underlying iOS 17 bug. Apple fixed the problem to a great extent with iOS 17.0.2. But these phones still get warmer than usual when fast-charging. A metal backplate could help remedy this problem on the iPhone 16 Pro.
Better heat management also could enable Apple to give the iPhone 16 Pro’s charging speeds a slight boost.
The iPhone 16 Pro is still 10 months away from launch. And since its components are still in an early prototype stage, a lot could change by the time they are finalized for mass production. Rumors indicate the iPhone 16 Pro might house a larger 6.2x-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max could sport a 6.9-inch panel.
