Samsung tends to source batteries for its flagship smartphones from multiple suppliers in addition to group company Samsung SDI. It's now looking towards China for the batteries that will go inside its next flagships, tentatively named Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
The company will reportedly be sourcing the batteries from Amperex Technology Limited. Samsung SDI will also be in the supplier mix for these batteries. This isn't the first time that the company will be buying batteries from Amperex.
Amperex to supply batteries for the Galaxy S21 series
Samsung has previously sourced batteries from Amperex for budget devices in the Galaxy A and Galaxy M series. Amperex has also provided batteries for some flagships like the Galaxy S9 series. Amperex Technology Limited is a highly regarded manufacturer of small pouch-type batteries that are used in mobile devices. Its market share in 2019 was 17.1 percent, ranking third after Samsung SDI and LG Chem at 28.4 percent and 19.5 percent respectively.
This is likely a cost reduction measure on Samsung's part in a bid to increase margins on its next flagship lineup. Ampere is said to provide batteries for all three Galaxy S21 models. Earlier reports have suggested that the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra will feature 4,000mAh, 4,800mAh and 5,000mAh batteries. Only the Galaxy S21+ will get a minor increase while the other models will have the exact same capacities as their predecessors.
The production certifications that previously revealed the battery capacities for the Galaxy S21 series also listed Amperex as the manufacturer. How Samsung will split the orders between the different suppliers remains a mystery. It will likely depend on a lot of different factors. It won't matter which company supplied the battery that's inside of your Galaxy S21 because it's really not going to make any difference.
