In May, supply chain analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) plans to enhance the battery life of its iPhone 16 series by adopting stainless steel cases. Now he says, this step can help Cupertino meet EU regulations while also increasing the device's battery cell density.
What Happened: On Sunday, Kuo, an analyst at TF Securities, took to X, formerly Twitter, and said Apple's move to stainless steel cases for its next iPhone iteration will not only comply with EU battery regulations but also increase the battery cell density by 5-10%.
He also stated that the design change will make the batteries easier to replace. "The new iPhone's adoption of a stainless steel battery case not only reduces the difficulty of removing the battery to meet EU regulations but also allows Apple to increase the battery cell density by 5-10% while meeting safety requirements, achieving two goals at once," he said.
The EU regulates that by 2027, all smartphones must be equipped with replaceable batteries. The new iPhone's adoption of a stainless steel battery case not only reduces the difficulty of removing the battery to meet EU regulations but also allows Apple to increase the battery...
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 30, 2024
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Why It Matters: In last month's report, Kuo said that the iPhone 16 Pro Max would feature a battery with increased energy density and a stainless steel housing. The change in battery housing from aluminum to stainless steel was expected to result in weight savings while maintaining the same battery life.
Meanwhile, Apple has been under scrutiny by the EU for allegedly violating the Digital Markets Act, particularly with its App Store policies. The tech giant could face a fine of up to 10% of its global revenue if it fails to comply with DMA guidelines.
Earlier this month, Apple announced that it would exclude certain features from its upcoming operating systems for EU customers due to regulatory concerns related to the DMA. These features are Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring to macOS Sequoia, and SharePlay Screen Sharing.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.