LG to be exclusive supplier of L-shaped 'iPhone 9' batteries, report says

Apple is months away from announcing an expected "iPhone 8" device, but rumors are already swirling about its successor, with one report claiming LG is to be the sole provider of batteries for the device.

Citing an unnamed source, Korea Economic Daily on Thursday reported that Apple has selected LG Chem as an exclusive supplier for batteries bound for a next-generation iPhone due for release in 2018.

LG has supposedly invested "hundreds of billions" of won in dedicated battery manufacturing facilities and will be ready to begin full-scale production early next year, the source said. The person added that the South Korean company will supply all batteries for "iPhone 9," expected to debut in the second half of 2018.

According to the report, Apple's next-next-generation iPhone will adopt a battery module that is "bent" or extended to one side at its bottom to form an "L" shape. Since its release, iPhone has relied on standard rectangular "jelly roll" lithium-ion batteries.

Rumors of L-shaped iPhone batteries first cropped up in April when KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple to employ the novel two-cell design in the upcoming "iPhone 8." The optimized shape not only maximizes internal space afforded by developments in component miniaturization and integration, but also boosts charging speeds.

Whether or not Apple will deploy the advanced battery technology in "iPhone 8" remains unknown.

Apple is widely expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone this fall alongside iterative improvements to iPhone 7 series handsets. The "iPhone 8" is rumored to incorporate exotic tech like a full-face OLED screen, front-facing 3D-sensing camera, wireless charging and embedded Touch ID sensors.

11 Comments

suddenly newton 13819 comments · 14 Years

About 7 years ago

I think Apple should release the iPhone 7s, 8, and 9, all in September of this year. Why is Apple holding back? Is it to give us a drip-drip-drip of rumors for the next 2 years? ;)

[Deleted User] 0 comments · 11 Years

lmasanti said:

According with the past naming of iPhones, we should have… - 2017 > 7s - 2018 > 8 - 2019 > 8s - 2020 > 9 Of course, Apple can leave its previous naming convention, like it did with OS X from cats to California's places, and call… - 2017 > 8 - 2018 > 9 …but its seems strange for me. This does not negate the possibility of a ‘Ten Anniversary’ iPhone Pro!

I'd prefer the macbook naming convension, just have "iPhone" and "iPhone Plus" then "iPhone Mini" or something for the 4"er. Keep it the same each year as the numbers will get silly the higher they get imho.

Avieshek 100 comments · 7 Years

adm1 said:

lmasanti said:

According with the past naming of iPhones, we should have… - 2017 > 7s - 2018 > 8 - 2019 > 8s - 2020 > 9 Of course, Apple can leave its previous naming convention, like it did with OS X from cats to California's places, and call… - 2017 > 8 - 2018 > 9 …but its seems strange for me. This does not negate the possibility of a ‘Ten Anniversary’ iPhone Pro!

I'd prefer the macbook naming convension, just have "iPhone" and "iPhone Plus" then "iPhone Mini" or something for the 4"er. Keep it the same each year as the numbers will get silly the higher they get imho.

I think, it would be rather cool: iPhone 69

cali 3494 comments · 10 Years

adm1 said:

lmasanti said:

According with the past naming of iPhones, we should have… - 2017 > 7s - 2018 > 8 - 2019 > 8s - 2020 > 9 Of course, Apple can leave its previous naming convention, like it did with OS X from cats to California's places, and call… - 2017 > 8 - 2018 > 9 …but its seems strange for me. This does not negate the possibility of a ‘Ten Anniversary’ iPhone Pro!

I'd prefer the macbook naming convension, just have "iPhone" and "iPhone Plus" then "iPhone Mini" or something for the 4"er. Keep it the same each year as the numbers will get silly the higher they get imho.

I thought iPhone 6 would be named just "iPhone". I felt like 6 was already silly.

mike1 3432 comments · 10 Years

This is why you can bet that Apple had locked in the final design of this year's phones a while ago. They're not still debating features and implementation.