AI may be the hype, but solid-state batteries are the real game-changer

Gradually, Then Suddenly... is a series exploring the cumulative moments in technology that build quietly, then burst into deep-rooted change.

Everyone's talking about AI right now. It’s the buzzword in every boardroom, conference, and tech headline. Big players and startups alike have jumped from the fleeting hype of the metaverse and blockchain to the next shiny thing: artificial intelligence. But while we’re all captivated by software breakthroughs, we’re running up against an unsexy but very real barrier—hardware limitations. And at the core of that challenge? Battery technology.

Consider Apple: for years, the company was obsessed with making its devices thinner. However, that pursuit effectively ended with the iPhone X in 2017. Since then, the focus has shifted to prioritizing battery life and performance, even if it means increased weight. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, dubbed too heavy ‘to hold one-handed for any extended period without fatigue’ is a testament to this shift.?

To put it in perspective, the iPhone's battery is one of its largest components, making up roughly 25-35% of the device's weight and occupying 30-50% of its internal volume, depending on the model. As smartphones have become essential to our daily lives, sacrificing battery capacity for a slimmer design simply isn't an option—nobody wants their phone dying when they need it most.

Most recently, the iPhone 16 launch hasn’t stirred up much enthusiasm. Despite doubling down on AI features, Apple consumers are now asking, Does this even do anything new? The answer: Not really. Marginally improved cameras and an extra button aren’t exactly innovations that justify the sky-high price.

Apple seems to have hit a dead end with battery optimization—'all-day battery life' now feels more like 'barely enough.' With no room left for battery improvements, the rest of the hardware is stagnating, giving us the same old product in a shinier, pricier package.

The real leap forward in personal devices will not come from AI—it’s coming from something less glamorous but far more imperative: solid-state batteries.?

For decades, lithium-ion batteries have powered the tech world, but they are not without limitations: short lifespans, slower charging, and safety risks due to flammable liquid electrolytes. Solid-state batteries are set to revolutionize our devices, making them lighter, safer, faster-charging, and longer-lasting. By replacing the liquid electrolyte with a solid ceramic or polymer-based one, this technology aims to overcome many of these hurdles. It’s scheduled to hit the market in the next couple of years, with major companies like Toyota, Samsung, and QuantumScape spearheading research and development in the EV sector.

How soon? Toyota aims to introduce solid-state battery-powered vehicles as soon as next year, promising a 50% increase in energy density and a range of over 800 kilometers per charge. QuantumScape, a San Jose-based company backed by Volkswagen, is preparing to ramp up production for mass-market EVs before the end of this decade.

Given the complexity of scaling production, whether companies will meet these ambitious timelines is unclear. However, the potential impact is undeniable. If successful, these advances could meaningfully tackle EV limitations like range anxiety and long charging times, accelerating the transition to zero-emissions mobility. And once solid-state technology gains a foothold in the automotive world, it will also ripple through other sectors.

Experts predict these batteries could last 3 to 5 times longer than today’s lithium-ion versions, retaining 80% of their capacity even after thousands of cycles. Picture smartphones or laptops running for days on a single charge. For smaller devices—like pacemakers, health monitors, or cochlear implants—the reduced size and weight could be transformative. UK-based Ilika is already exploring these possibilities with its "Stereax" program, which focuses on miniature solid-state batteries for active medical implants. On a larger scale, this technology could also revolutionize renewable energy storage, making home energy systems more efficient and practical for everyday use.

The next revolution isn’t just about smarter software. As the world fixates on AI, a quiet transformation is happening in energy. Imagine devices that are not only smaller but also longer-lasting, homes that can efficiently store renewable power, and widespread use of vehicles that no longer emit pollutants. Solid-state batteries are the key to making this vision real, reshaping industries from healthcare to transportation. The future is unfolding now, silently, while the spotlight remains elsewhere.