iPhone 16 Pro Teardown Confirms Bigger Battery, Design Changes

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about smartphone releases, and its recent teardown reveals a design change that highlights a popular upgrade: a bigger battery. With the iPhone 15 Pro still fresh on the market, it may seem premature to be discussing its successor, but the information emerging about the iPhone 16 Pro is hard to ignore, especially when it comes to battery life—a feature that users have long hoped Apple would improve upon.

The teardown, conducted by REWA Technology and shared on YouTube, gave tech enthusiasts a closer look at the iPhone 16 Pro’s internals. Notably, it confirmed a larger battery, something that had been hinted at in earlier reports but was not officially verified until now. According to MacRumors’ Joe Rossignol, who first spotted the video, the teardown also showed a significant design change in the form of a new metallic battery covering. This metal casing supports previous reports about a design shift aimed at improving the phone’s thermal performance.

Thermal management has been a hot topic for Apple, particularly after issues with overheating were reported last year. According to earlier reports, some iPhone models experienced overheating problems, which were eventually resolved through a software update. Apple attributed the problem to an iOS 17 bug, but it appears that the company may have taken additional steps to prevent similar issues from occurring in the iPhone 16 Pro. The new metallic covering could be one such solution, designed to help with heat dissipation and to keep the phone running cooler during heavy use.

Perhaps the most exciting revelation from the teardown is the confirmation of a larger battery in the iPhone 16 Pro. Battery life has always been a critical factor for smartphone users, and Apple has faced criticism in the past for its battery performance, especially when compared to some of its competitors. The iPhone 15 Pro’s battery, while improved over previous models, still left some users wishing for more. Apple has now responded with a notable upgrade in the iPhone 16 Pro.

The teardown revealed that the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery capacity is 3,582mAh, a more than 9% increase over the 3,274mAh battery in the iPhone 15 Pro. This might not sound like a dramatic jump, but it’s a meaningful improvement, especially when you consider how tightly optimized Apple’s software is. This bigger battery, coupled with Apple’s hardware and software efficiencies, should result in significantly better battery performance in real-world use.

Apple has long been conservative in terms of battery size, often opting to improve battery life through software enhancements rather than increasing the physical size of the battery. However, the company seems to have listened to user feedback and made a concerted effort to address battery life concerns in its latest models.

Apple’s official claims about battery life further underscore the significance of this upgrade. For the iPhone 16 Pro, the company states that video playback time has increased by four hours compared to the iPhone 15 Pro, rising from 23 hours to 27 hours. While many users may not watch hours of video in one sitting, this metric is a useful benchmark for how long the battery lasts under moderate to heavy use.

For those who use their phones primarily for audio playback—perhaps while commuting or during long stretches of work—the iPhone 16 Pro offers an even more substantial increase. According to Apple, the new model provides 10 additional hours of audio playback compared to its predecessor. This improvement is indicative of Apple’s focus on enhancing battery performance across a variety of use cases, from media consumption to everyday tasks.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, the larger sibling of the Pro, also sees improvements in battery life. Apple claims that it will feature the longest-ever battery life in an iPhone. Given that the Pro Max models typically have larger batteries than their smaller counterparts, this is an area where Apple has consistently excelled, but it’s impressive to see them push the envelope even further.

Another aspect of the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery design that’s worth noting is its improved removability. Apple has confirmed that the batteries in some models can now be removed more easily, thanks to a new mechanism that loosens the adhesive holding the battery in place using a low electrical current. While this may not be something that most users will ever need to do themselves, it does signal that Apple is thinking about repairability and user convenience. This change could make it easier for third-party repair shops to replace batteries without damaging the phone, a move that aligns with the growing right-to-repair movement.

Repairability has become an increasingly important issue for tech companies, with regulators and consumers alike pushing for devices that are easier to fix rather than replace. Apple’s design tweak could be seen as a response to these demands, though the company is still far from making its devices as easily repairable as some of its competitors.

For many users, battery life is one of the most important features in a smartphone. With so many people relying on their phones for everything from work to entertainment, a device that needs to be charged multiple times a day can be a major inconvenience. Apple’s decision to increase the battery size and enhance battery life metrics in the iPhone 16 Pro is likely to be a popular one, as it addresses a common pain point for users.

In the highly competitive smartphone market, even small improvements can make a big difference, and Apple seems to be keenly aware of this. By boosting the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery capacity, enhancing its thermal performance, and making it easier to repair, Apple has positioned its latest model as a must-have for power users and casual users alike.

Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro’s design changes, particularly in terms of its battery, are a clear indication that Apple is listening to its users and responding to their needs. Whether it’s longer battery life, better thermal management, or improved repairability, the iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be one of the most user-friendly iPhones yet. As more details emerge, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the broader smartphone landscape and whether competitors follow suit with similar upgrades.