We are still months away from Apple’s expected announcement of the iPhone 8, but already it seems the tech giant are one step ahead and are in talks about the iPhone 9. This rumor has sparked from The Korea Economic Daily who claim that LG Chemical will be the sole supplier of the iPhone 9’s battery.
Why LG Chemical?
Even though we are still all highly-anticipating the iPhone 8, it is thought that the iPhone 9 will be upon us before we know it. It is rumored the iPhone 9 will be released at the end of 2018.
In the past, Apple has used a number of suppliers when sourcing parts, however, rumors suggest LG have made a large enough investment to persuade Apple that they should be the role supplier. CNBC’s report includes a translation from the Korean article:
“LG has invested hundred of billions of Korean won for related facilities and plans to start mass production from early next year.”
Unusual battery shape
The report also outlines a new shape for the battery. It will reportedly be bent at the bottom, making it ‘L-shaped’. LG Chem are investing hundreds of billions of Korean won in this unusual battery and mass production will commence early next year.
This unusually shaped battery is also thought to be a prominent feature in the upcoming iPhone 8. This will allow Apple to increase the size of the battery without having to make the phone bigger still. The battery will last longer and charge faster; a win-win solution.
While in the past some reports this far ahead of release have proved true, it must be remembered, that while this could be Apple’s current plan for the iPhone 8, a lot could change in the coming months.
For now, we can only speculate about the next groundbreaking technology Apple will bring us.
