What you need to know
- A report states that Google is "interested" in implementing silicon-carbon battery technology in its future Pixel phones.
- An interview with a product manager for Google explains that while this tech is useful (more capacity, smaller package), there are downsides that it must recognize.
- Samsung brought silicon-carbon tech to its Galaxy Z8 foldables this year, pushing the Fold 8 Ultra to 5,000mAh from the Fold 7's 4,400mAh while keeping it thin.
Google is reportedly displaying interest in a new phone technology that Chinese companies have been doing for a while.
We're still unraveling everything involving the Pixel 11 launch and Google's less-than-stellar Made by Google event. However, Android Headlines sat down with a company product manager to discuss an important topic: batteries. The Pixel 11 series launched without the sought-after battery tech, but that might change. According to the publication, Google says that silicon-carbon batteries "are something it's looking at." However, there's a lot the company is reportedly considering.
There's a downside that Google is taking into account, and that's the tech's longevity. As the post notes, silicon-carbon batteries age (or degrade) more quickly than the standard lithium-ion battery. The other side of this is a handful of positives that this material brings to the consumer. Silicon-carbon helps OEMs pack more battery into a smaller package. Moreover, you'd find faster charging speeds overall compared to the current tech.
The only question now is which series could we see this take place in? The Pixel 12 or the 13 (or later)?
Can Google afford to wait long?
The one thing on my mind is how much longer Google can remain complacent. The competition is surging ahead. For now, Google is withholding any major changes. I understand wanting to make sure what you're doing is right, but we've seen how positive this change would be. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold could afford to be a bit thinner. That's an entirely different conversation, though. I want more from Google's Pixels. I believe the phones can get there. A little push might help, too.
There's one thing to consider with this, and that's Samsung's recent inclusion of silicon-carbon tech. The company's Galaxy Z8 foldable series now features this newer battery technology, and it's the biggest upgrade Samsung has done in years. This is a boon to Samsung's foldables, especially the likes of the Galaxy Z Fold, which it's tried to keep thin and light. What's more, the Fold 8 Ultra's battery is now 5,000mAh, up from 4,400mAh on the Fold 7.
Samsung saw how the trends have changed. If you look at OPPO with the Find N6, Honor's Magic V6, or even the OnePlus 13, you'd find success stories. Many Chinese OEMs have adopted silicon-carbon tech far sooner than others. Samsung is now in on it, but Google is still lagging. There might be more to this—internally or otherwise—so we'll have to be patient.
