Samsung Testing Massive 12,000mAh And 18,000mAh Silicon-Carbon Smartphone Batteries, Leak Reveals

For future smartphones, Samsung is said to be exploring the possibility of using next-generation silicon-carbon (Si-C) batteries. According to leaked reports, the company is evaluating high-capacity battery prototypes of 12,000mAh and 18,000mAh that feature advanced dual-cell and triple-cell stacking designs. These aim to provide up to four times the capacity without adding thickness to smartphones. Samsung SDI is also in the process of improving battery management systems and thermal efficiency, but with an eye on reliability first, a sign of the company’s new approach to batter research after the 2016 Galaxy Note 7 incidents.

Samsung Is Experimenting With Silicon-Carbon Batteries In Android Phones

As per an unreleased document spotted on X by user Schrödinger (@phonefuturist), Samsung SDI is testing 12,000mAh and 18,000mAh silicon-carbon batteries. The leak also mentions that a larger 20,000mAh prototype which was previously under consideration failed the durability test after around ~960 charge cycles.

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Silicon-carbon batteries are based on a silicon anode rather than graphite, allowing them to store more energy per unit volume without drastically increasing the battery size. This technology is already deployed by a few modern smartphones, most notably from Chinese manufacturers, to provide larger battery capacities.

Samsung’s Prototype Battery Designs: The Uh-Oh Colloidal Technology

Samsung has reportedly been working on multiple prototype form factors.

20,000mAh Prototype (Failed Test)

The 20,000mAh battery allegedly made use of a two-cell design:

It didn’t hold up after about 960 charge cycles.

12,000mAh Dual-Cell Prototype

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These outwardly configured targets can assemble for a total thickness of ~9.3mm, though certain test sample sizes have been reported as failed due to this maximum threshold being exceeded.

18,000mAh Triple-Cell Prototype

The specified nominal stacked thickness is approximately 12.3mm, but some prototypes were allegedly approaching about 12.8mm due to added thermal interface layers.

Development Goals and Potential Benefits

According to reports, Samsung's testing programme is aiming for a life span that can be around 1,500 charge cycles of its 12,000mAh and 18,000mAh batteries. The 12,000mAh one is all about stability; theoretically on a smartphone while both mobile data and Wi-Fi are active, it could yield around 20 to 25 hours of screen-on time.