Apple, in an attempt to solve the recurrent issue faced by smartphone users worldwide, has recently been granted a patent, with the number US20230344262A1, titled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VARIABLE DISCHARGING TECHNIQUES OF A BATTERY CELL". The problem in focus is nothing new, but surely something that requires addressing — the lifespan of a smartphone battery.
Countless users bemoan the continuous struggle of keeping their devices fuelled. At the heart of their distress lies the conundrum of the battery drain resulting from continuous usage, and the decreased lifespan with each charging cycle. The repercussions are twofold — firstly, modern users find themselves latched onto charging cords, and secondly, frequent battery replacements or smartphone switches become a costly affair.
The patent addresses this matter intelligently — by rethinking how batteries should be charged. Instead of running them through the conventional charge-and-drain cycle, Apple has developed a smart technique that adapts the charging method based on the battery's history of use. The core of this invention is a system that keeps account of how often the battery has been recharged and tweaks its power intake, accordingly.
Think of it as a coach for your battery. The coach knows the health and performance history of his athelete and decides the best training regime to ensure longer performance life.
What could this mean for the world if implemented successfully? Life with smartphones could get a shade easier. The requirement to carry a charger or a power bank in fear of a dying phone could become less mandatory. More importantly, the need to replace batteries or the whole device may decrease significantly — making an eco-friendly impact.
Consider a scenario of being out on a day-long trip without worrying about your smartphone battery dying. Or, visualizing a good few years of usage without requiring to switch phones due to a poor battery life. That's an attractive world, which is exactly what this patent is working towards.
Despite the promising innovation, one must remember that being a patent, there is no certainty that this technology will materialize on the market. Patents often become stepping-stones in the evolution of tech innovations. Therefore, while we can hope for longer-lasting phone batteries, it isn't set in stone just yet.
P.S. As always with patented technology, there are no guarantees that this feature will enter mass production or appear in a final product in the market. A variety of factors including cost-effectiveness, production capabilities, and further testing results will undoubtedly guide Apple's ultimate decision.