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Samsung SDI is reportedly testing a prototype dual-cell silicon‑carbon (Si/C) battery that combines to 20,000mAh — a dramatic leap in capacity that could reshape smartphone endurance if the chemistry and engineering hurdles are cleared.
How Si/C batteries squeeze more power into thin cells
Unlike conventional lithium‑ion packs that use graphite anodes, silicon‑carbon anodes rely on a nanostructured composite that holds far more lithium ions per unit volume. In theory that means much higher capacity and slimmer cells — a promising development for thin, long‑lasting phones. But the tradeoffs are real: Si/C materials expand and contract more during charge cycles, creating stress that engineers must mitigate.
A closer look at the dual‑cell prototype
Leaked test data points to a stacked design made of two distinct cells:
- Primary cell: 12,000mAh, ~6.3mm thick, dimensions about 10cm × 6.8cm
- Secondary cell: 8,000mAh, ~4.0mm thick (reported to have swelled to ~7.2mm in trials), same footprint as the primary
That stacked arrangement would deliver a combined 20,000mAh capacity — a figure that dwarfs the ~5,000mAh batteries common in many current flagship phones.
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Why a commercial launch isn’t imminent
Testing reportedly revealed significant swelling in the secondary cell — roughly an 80% increase in thickness during some trials — which raises durability and safety red flags. Engineers will need to solve mechanical stress, long‑term cycle stability, and thermal behavior before any mass production. In short: promising on paper, but not production ready.
What this means for Samsung and the wider smartphone market
Chinese manufacturers have been pushing battery capacities aggressively, with some devices already approaching 10,000mAh and rumors suggesting even larger packs within a few years. Samsung has taken heat for keeping S‑series batteries near the 5,000mAh mark, so a breakthrough in Si/C could change the conversation — if the tech proves reliable and safe at scale.
For now, Samsung SDI’s dual‑cell Si/C experiments are an intriguing glimpse at what’s possible. The headline number — 20,000mAh — is eye‑catching, but the real story will be whether engineers can tame swelling and deliver consistent, safe performance for everyday smartphones.
Source: wccftech
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