TDK Unveils Compact Mobile Battery with Same Capacity, Mass Production Set for Summer

January 9, 2025 – TDK has developed a new lithium-ion battery specifically designed for smartphones, which boasts a 15% increase in charging capacity. The company plans to commence mass production in the summer of 2025, as reported by Nikkei on the 6th. With the emergence of devices supporting generative AI from companies like Apple, the energy consumption of smartphones is expected to rise further. To address this challenge, TDK aims to differentiate itself from its competitors by increasing battery capacity.

Ahead of the upcoming CES 2025 exhibition in Las Vegas, TDK’s president, Saito Noboru, revealed this new technology during an interview. By replacing the traditional graphite (black lead) negative electrode material with silicon, TDK has successfully enhanced the battery’s electricity storage capability.

This innovative battery can be made smaller while maintaining the same capacity, freeing up more space in smartphones for other components. Additionally, if the battery thickness is further reduced, it could even be used in new devices like foldable smartphones. “Although our primary focus is on smartphones, we also hope to expand into areas such as laptops and tablets,” said Saito.

Currently, lithium batteries using silicon anodes account for only a small portion of TDK’s small lithium-ion battery sales. The company plans to establish a new factory in Haryana, India, in 2025 to enhance battery production capabilities. Furthermore, TDK aims to introduce a new battery with a 40% increased capacity by March 2027.

According to data from Techno-System Research, TDK holds approximately 40% of the global market share for mobile phone lithium batteries. In fiscal year 2024, TDK’s battery business accounted for over 50% of the company’s total sales, with an operating profit margin of 17%. This significantly exceeds the levels achieved by other electronic components, such as multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC).

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