For years, Samsung and Apple have been locked in a specifications race where almost anything went: faster processors, brighter screens, cameras with more megapixels. But there is one area where both giants have fallen behind while other manufacturers advance relentlessly: battery autonomy. Now Samsung has taken a step that could change the rules of the game, and Apple will have to take note.

Samsung finally bets on silicon-carbon battery technology

The South Korean company has incorporated into its latest foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Fold 8, so-called silicon-carbon batteries, a technology that has been gaining ground in the industry for some time but which Samsung had kept at arm's length. The result is notable: these devices achieve 14% more capacity without increasing in size, reaching 5,000 mAh in the case of the Ultra.

It seems small on paper, but it is not. For two generations, users and critics have asked Samsung to take this step, and the company had systematically refused. Meanwhile, brands like Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have launched mid-range and high-end phones with batteries of 6,000, 6,500 and even 7,500 mAh, leaving Samsung—and especially Apple—far behind in terms of battery life.

Why was Samsung so cautious?

The answer lies in the past. Samsung experienced years ago the Galaxy Note 7 disaster, a phone that had serious overheating problems and which the company had to withdraw from the market. That traumatic experience explains why the South Korean company has adopted a conservative approach to new silicon-carbon batteries, including more protective measures than other manufacturers.

It is a defensive decision, but understandable. Samsung prefers to advance slowly but without shocks, according to hipertextual.com.

The Galaxy S27 could revolutionize the market

What matters most now is what comes next. If Samsung decides to incorporate these silicon-carbon batteries in the Galaxy S series, the change would be huge. The Galaxy S27 Ultra could finally exceed 5,000 mAh in capacity and truly compete with Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo in real battery life.

• The technology is already present in foldables: S27 could be the next step
• Samsung is "gradually squeezing" the technology without rushing
• Apple still shows no visible moves in this area

There is still no official confirmation as to whether the Galaxy S27 will include this improvement, but the signs point in that direction. Samsung has shown it masters the technology, and the foldables are just the proof of concept.

Where does Apple stand in all this?

While Samsung finally makes a move, Apple continues to rest on its laurels. The iPhone 18 (arriving in 2026) has yet to show signs that the California company will solve its chronic battery life problem. It is one of the biggest weak points of the Cupertino firm, and Samsung has a golden opportunity to exploit that crack.

The question now is simple: will Samsung manage to turn this technological advantage into a real commercial difference, or will Apple manage to recover before it is too late?