Exploring the Future: Can Salt Batteries Power the Next Generation of Galaxy Phones?

The evolution of smartphone technology is driven by the quest for more efficient, sustainable, and powerful batteries. As manufacturers explore innovative energy storage solutions, salt batteries emerge as a promising alternative. This article delves into the potential of salt batteries and their applicability to future Galaxy phones.

Understanding Salt Batteries

A couple of different technologies that use salt for energy storage | Image by Stanford University

This Denmark solar power plant uses molten salt to store energy | 4TechNews

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Molten salt batteries operate at temperatures ranging from 473°F to 1,292°F, which raises concerns about their feasibility for consumer devices.

What is a Sodium-Ion Battery?

Sodium-ion batteries are very similar to lithium-ion ones | Image by New Scientist

Comparing Sodium-Ion and Lithium-Ion Batteries

There are significant differences between lithium-ion batteries and their sodium counterparts | Image by Tycorun

Is a Sodium-Battery Galaxy S26 Possible?

The first sodium-ion battery currently nearing mass production | Image by Atomic Energy Commission

A French team of researchers has developed a sodium-ion battery in 18650 (AA) format that can store up to 90 Wh/kg and retain 80% charge after 2000 cycles. While this performance is reminiscent of early lithium-ion batteries, modern smartphone batteries offer energy densities ranging from 150 to 300 Wh/kg, making them superior. Despite this, sodium's abundance, ease of extraction, and lower geopolitical significance compared to lithium provide hope for the potential integration of sodium-ion technology in future Galaxy phones.