A new leak about Apple’s iPhone 17 family has highlighted a surprising new model and the possible use of new technology to improve smartphone batteries.
A man was seen using a mobile phone next to an iPhone 16 at an Apple store in Mumbai. (Photo courtesy of Ashish … [+]
Details come from Apple leaker Maijin Bu, who reports that all iPhone 17 products will feature a new adhesive that holds the battery in place. Many people will be disappointed in continuing to use adhesive, but new technology makes it much easier to remove and replace these batteries without undue damage.
Applying an electric current to the adhesive weakens its adhesion, allowing you to remove the battery without using a heat gun, pry bar, or brute force. This is a one-time effect, so a new strip of adhesive is required to secure the new battery in place.
Apple already debuted this technology in this year’s iPhone 16, but it’s only used in this model. Apple will continue to update the Genius Bar from repairs over the next few months to determine if there are any other issues ahead of the full rollout of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and Phone 17 Pro Max in 2025. I’m sure you’ll be reading the feedback.
Bu also said that the adhesive will be featured in the fourth member of the iPhone 17 family, a new addition to that family. The oversized iPhone Plus has reached the end of its product line and will likely be replaced by a model titled the iPhone 17 Air. It focuses on fashion and aims to be the lightest and thinnest premium smartphone on the market.
Moving to thinner designs means reducing excess material inside devices, such as clips, fixtures, mounting brackets and screws. Battery gluing is a time-honored technique that electronics manufacturers have used for decades.
Given the continuing pressure to make smartphones easier to repair (both emotional arguments about “doing the right thing” and legal requirements such as those introduced by the European Union) Regardless), using an easily removable adhesive benefits both the incredibly thin market and the market. Reduce/reuse/recycle market.
Before we get to that, there’s the small matter of updating the iPhone SE. It will be interesting to see if SE follows the old method or is fixed in the new way.
Read more about Apple’s iPhone SE plans…
