Compared to a few years ago, our phones have come a long way. Not only are they nearly as powerful as some computers, but they’re able to last a considerably longer time despite brighter and larger displays. Still, getting a phone to last more than a day with normal usage is nearly unheard of. Sony, who developed the first commercial Li-ion battery, is believed to be tackling this problem by

 working on new types of batteries that could carry 40 percent more energy than lithium-ion counterparts.

Key to Sony’s next-gen batteries are sulfur-based electrodes. Lithium-sulfur cells are well known to have better capacities, but the sulfur degrades so rapidly in this environment that commercial, rechargeable batteries of this kind have been out of the question. Presumably, Sony’s solved or is close to solving this issue. More interesting, though, is that the company is also developing magnesium-sulfur batteries, removing lithium from the equation altogether. Magnesium is the significantly more abundant element, making for cheaper batteries that also last longer. They should be safer, too, since lithium-based batteries degenerate over time to the point of becoming a fire risk. 

But I wouldn’t hold my breath on it.

Despite our phones seemingly getting better battery life, it has little to do with battery technology. Any additional gain has come from efficiency in hardware and software alongside miniaturization of components which allow for bigger batteries. Otherwise, battery technology has yet to truly improve. With the R&D that Sony is doing, things could change.

However it’s believed that at its current pace and assuming things pan out, Sony won’t be able to deliver these new batteries till 2020. If such a breakthrough were to take place, it’s hard not to image a large shift taking place in mobile which could see far more powerful devices or devices that can easily be used for many days at a time on a single charge.

Discuss:

Are you ever able to get more than one day of battery out of your smartphone on normal usage?

[Via Engadget]