Samsung is finally using silicon-carbon batteries, but caution remains high

The announcement of Samsung’s new generation of foldable smartphones Samsung brings with it a very important novelty. With the arrival of the recent Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8, the South Korean company has decided to extensively integrate the silicon-carbon batteries, a technology that had been deliberately ignored until now.

This is a change that guarantees greater energy density in extremely thin form factors, allowing the brand to outpace direct competitors like Apple and Google, although it arrives with enormous delays compared to Chinese rivals.

Despite the clear advantages in terms of capacity, the company has maintained a measured approach, working intensely on the reliability of the materials to avert any risk tied to this chemical composition.

Samsung uses silicon-carbon on the new foldables, a measured transition

The switch from traditional graphite anodes to silicon-containing ones is not a simple procedure. Silicon boasts a significantly higher energy storage capacity, but tends to expand during charge and discharge cycles.

Remembering the well-known difficulties faced in the past with the batteries of its devices, the company chose to proceed with the utmost caution before implementing this solution.

According to statements from the company’s spokespeople, substantial resources have been devoted to optimizing the silicon percentage present inside the cells. The work has focused on ensuring that the new cells maintain long-term stability and safety that the brand’s high-end products are expected to deliver.

The adoption of this specific technology finds its maximum utility precisely in the foldable category. These smartphones require particularly slim profiles to be ergonomic when closed, but must at the same time power high-end processors and very large displays.

The new battery architecture has allowed a clear leap forward in terms of capacity. While the previous Galaxy Z Fold 7 model stopped at a 4,400 mAh module, the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra can house a unit of 5,000 mAh. This increase allows foldables to align with the autonomy offered by the brand’s traditional-format smartphones.

The cost of upgrading

Accessing this component entails a significant financial investment, placed in a market characterized by general price hikes due to RAM shortages.

This year the book-style foldables offering has split, making comparisons with the past less direct. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at €2,099, while the top-end model, the Z Fold 8 Ultra, is offered from €2,299. For those who want the maximum space, the 1 TB variant of the Ultra reaches €2,899.

Those who prefer the more compact clamshell format can opt for the Galaxy Z Flip 8, available at €1,379 in its 256 GB base version.