Affiliate Disclosure
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy.

Rumor: Apple's 'iWatch' to use new 'stepped' battery technology from LG

iWatch concept by Todd Hamilton

Apple will turn to an LG-devised layered lithium ion battery design manufactured by Samsung SDI, LG Chem and Tianjin Lishen Battery for the powerpack in its so-called iWatch, a questionable report out of Korea suggests.


"Apple will utilize LG Chem's stepped battery since it offers better longevity than others and can be applied for different shapes," a source told the Korea Herald. LG's stepped design is said to hold up to 16 percent more energy than similarly-sized conventional lithium ion batteries.

In addition to their enhanced energy density, the stepped batteries can be formed into shapes —  like curves —  that would suit a wrist-worn device.

The report should be taken with a grain of salt, however. The Herald intimates that Apple was also considering powering the device entirely with solar power —  other rumors have suggested Apple may be considering solar charging, but none have speculated that the company may eschew batteries entirely.

The paper also cites anonymous sources that say "there would be no point" for the iWatch to use a curved display that would ultimately be less than two inches diagonally.



27 Comments

crowley 15 Years · 10431 comments

I'm coming to hate that render, because it looks so feasible, yet common sense tells me that Apple won't be able to make anything that cool looking that is also usable, has reasonable battery life, and isn't as delicate as a snowflake.

curtis hannah 12 Years · 1834 comments

If they make it foldable could they use a series of tiny batteries vs a odd shaped.

clemynx 16 Years · 1550 comments

Yes, why use a curved screen if it's so small? Flat reduces price. And the report that should be taken with a grain of salt is the one on solar power...that won't happen.

icoco3 13 Years · 1474 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider 

...a questionable report out of Korea suggests.
...
The report should be taken with a grain of salt, however. ...

...

The paper also cites anonymous sources that say ...

 

Key takeaways from the article.

 

Let me structure it better...

 

"A questionable report out of Korea suggests the report should be taken with a grain of salt, however the paper also cites anonymous sources."

jfc1138 12 Years · 3090 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crowley 

I'm coming to hate that render, because it looks so feasible, yet common sense tells me that Apple won't be able to make anything that cool looking that is also usable, has reasonable battery life, and isn't as delicate as a snowflake.

The one problem I have with it is the perfect, rigid, circle: because I'd like a vertically scrollable touch-screen and for that to work the bracelet had better offer resistance to rolling around the wrist and that shape doesn't offer that to my mind..