TDK is set to launch a new generation of batteries designed to support AI-driven tasks in smartphones, coinciding with major client Apple Inc.’s plans to unveil a slimmer handset.
Noboru Saito, TDK’s Chief Executive Officer, announced that the company would begin shipping its third version of silicon-anode batteries by the end of June. This timeline is ahead of the previously scheduled shipments planned for the September quarter, potentially allowing smartphone manufacturers to incorporate these advanced cells into their slimmed-down models this year.
“We’ve made substantial progress and will be shipping them very soon,” Saito stated in an interview. “Some handset manufacturers may leverage the new battery technology in their next product cycle, effectively one generation early.”
TDK’s innovative battery technology is enabling leading smartphone producers to reduce device thickness without compromising battery life. The new lithium-ion batteries utilize silicon for anodes, replacing the traditional graphite, and can store 15 percent more energy within the same dimensions compared to standard rechargeable battery packs.
This week, Samsung Electronics debuted its Galaxy S25 Edge, measuring just 5.9 millimeters in thickness—30 percent slimmer than the premium S25 Ultra—while introducing new camera editing features and enhanced AI functionalities.
In parallel, Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 17 Air, a model anticipated to feature a new industrial design that could pave the way for even thinner devices from the tech giant in the future.
Both Apple and Samsung account for approximately 10 percent of TDK’s total revenue, based on data from Bloomberg. While Saito did not disclose the pricing of the new battery or its specific customers, he confirmed that TDK is offering the component to all clients who recognize its technological advantages.
The silicon-anode battery technology is adaptable across various cell sizes for different applications, ranging from small gadgets to electric vehicles. TDK’s subsidiary, Amperex Technology Ltd., is a top manufacturer of compact silicon batteries for smartphones and holds a significant market share, according to Saito.
“We plan to roll out fourth-generation silicon batteries in the next fiscal year to strengthen our market leadership even further,” he noted. “Mass production of silicon batteries demands specialized expertise; it isn’t simply about combining the materials.”
TDK anticipates a modest increase of one percent in global smartphone production, projecting a total of 12 billion units this year. However, the company has expressed concerns that US trade policies might negate this growth. For the first time, TDK issued its annual outlook as a range instead of a single figure due to uncertainties surrounding US tariffs.
Saito emphasized the need for companies to remain agile in their responses to external developments and customer demands.
In this light, TDK is diversifying its production sites. Amperex has primarily manufactured batteries in China but is establishing a new factory in India, set to begin operations by September. Although the initial production capacity at this facility will be limited, Saito indicated that manufacturing silicon batteries on existing graphite production lines would not pose a significant challenge. However, he did not disclose the specific types of batteries set to be produced in India.
As manufacturers increasingly seek to expand their production capabilities outside China, Apple is boosting capacity in India, while Nintendo Co. is doing so in Vietnam and Cambodia. Saito mentioned that the allocation of production between China and India would depend on customer needs.
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