Apple to Make Space for Larger Batteries in iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks By Adopting Slimmer Peripheral Chips

For future iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks, Apple plans to use smaller internal components in an effort to increase the size of the device's battery, according to DigiTimes.

ifixit iphone12 mini

Image Credit: iFixit

Specifically, Apple plans to "significantly increase the adoption" of IPDs or integrated passive devices for the peripheral chips in its products. These news chips will be slimmer in size and allow for higher performance while also taking up less internal space inside a device, allowing for larger batteries.

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.

The report doesn't note when specifically these new smaller chips will debut, but it does note that Apple has approved TSMC's 6th-generation process to mass-produce IPDs for new iPhones and iPads.

Alleged battery capacities of the upcoming iPhone 13 lineup, leaked earlier this year, signaled that the upcoming iPhones will feature larger batteries. Schematics previously seen by MacRumors also revealed that the new iPhones will be thicker, making room for the larger batteries.

Although the 2021 iPhones aren't mentioned in today's report, it's reasonable to assume that new IPD chips, coupled with an increase in thickness, provide Apple with the freedom to increase battery size thanks to free internal space. The new larger batteries are rumored to be put to good use thanks to more advanced displays in the upcoming high-end iPhones.

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Top Rated Comments

Unggoy Murderer Avatar
58 months ago
Still blows my mind how compact the current hardware is. The fact a smartphone can do so much in such a small package is nuts.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LFC2020 Avatar
58 months ago
Got happy for a sec, then I saw digitimes ?‍♂️?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
58 months ago
Does that mean we still get a camera bump? Why not just push the back out far enough for the camera to be flush with the back case? (Yes, someone has to bring the bump up eventually...)
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jlc1978 Avatar
58 months ago

They need to get rid of that huge nano-SIM. It's taking up too much valuable space, especially in the mini. Apple should push for better e-sim adoption and make it so users can switch phones while keeping their number as easily as it is with a physical SIM.
I beg to differ. Having an actual SIM makes it a lot easier to move between devices.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RadioHedgeFund Avatar
58 months ago
If Apple could find a way to squash a 3000mah battery into the iPhone Mini they would have a hit on their hands. Many reviewers on YouTube love the phone but the battery just doesn't cut it for power use.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calzon65 Avatar
58 months ago
Let's see if they can can control their obsession with reducing thickness by a fraction of a millimeter in favor of adding battery capacity / life.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)