Samsung may soon take a major leap forward in smartphone battery technology. According to a new report from Korean media, the company is preparing to adopt a new stainless steel-based battery design, referred to in the industry as “SUS CAN,” in its upcoming smartphones. This could pave the way for significantly larger battery capacities, faster charging, and improved safety.
Samsung is working on a new battery technology for Galaxy phones
While details are scarce, Samsung’s battery division, Samsung SDI, is reportedly working on a new battery tech that uses a stainless steel material. This innovation allegedly helps improve internal energy density, meaning the battery can store more energy in the same physical space. More importantly, it suppresses swelling, a common issue with lithium-ion batteries that degrade after repeated charging cycles.
By the looks of it, Samsung will use stainless steel to reinforce the battery casing, reducing the risk of expansion and overheating over time, potentially increasing both battery longevity and safety. Notably, Apple has already adopted a similar battery design in its iPhone 16 Pro Max. It’s unclear why the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup doesn’t use the same technology, though.
In addition to SUS CAN, Samsung is rumored to be preparing a broader transition away from traditional lithium-ion batteries to silicon-carbon-based batteries. This material change could be even more transformative. Silicon-carbon anodes can hold significantly more charge than conventional graphite anodes, allowing for higher capacities, faster charging, and improved efficiency.
Combined with the SUS CAN structure, the use of silicon-carbon batteries could represent a major generational shift in how Samsung powers its smartphones, especially as demand for slimmer devices with all-day battery life continues to grow. Its newly launched Galaxy S25 Edge is a fantastic phone, but a 3,900mAh battery is proving to be a weak link.
While Samsung has yet to officially confirm when the new battery solutions will be available commercially, rumors suggest its upcoming tri-fold will feature silicon-carbon batteries. The company could also implement these batteries, together with the SUS CAN design, in the Galaxy S26 series next year. This could bring noticeable improvements in battery life, without sacrificing size, design, or performance.
