Silicon-carbon is just the start: these battery technologies could make your phone last even longer

From solid-state to structural and beyond

15 Jan 2026, 22:25 · TechRadar

Features By James Rogerson published 15 January 2026

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For a long time, just about every smartphone used the same type of battery – a lithium-ion one, and while these do the job just fine, they have meant that most phones need charging daily, with battery life being something companies have struggled to improve much, even as other elements of phones get vastly better.

That’s starting to change now – silicon-carbon batteries are now being used in a growing number of handsets, such as in the OnePlus 15 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. This tech is heralding batteries with a capacity in the range of around 7,000-9,000mAh in a standard-size smartphone, while more conventional lithium-ion batteries rarely go above about 5,500mAh without manufacturers having to resort to a chunky device.

But while silicon-carbon batteries allow for the biggest battery jump we’ve seen in the history of smartphones, there are other battery technologies in the works that could deliver even more impressive life, or other advantages. So below, in no particular order, we’ve detailed five battery technologies that might one day power your phone.

1. Solid-state batteries

The Kuxia S3 has a semi-solid-state battery (Image credit: Kuxia)

Of the many battery technologies currently being developed and explored, solid-state batteries look to be among the closest to finding their home in smartphones, as already we’re seeing companies reveal other types of products with them.

We’ve recently, for example, seen the announcement of the Kuxia S3 – a power bank with a semi-solid-state battery – and electric vehicle manufacturers are also experimenting with solid-state batteries.

But their use in power banks is most relevant here, as these are small-size devices much like a smartphone. This would suggest that solid-state batteries could also work well in phones.

Solid-state batteries use a solid or gel electrolyte, rather than the liquid electrolytes used by lithium-ion batteries, and this change allows for greater energy density, so you can have a higher capacity battery without increasing the footprint.

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