Samsung is finally switching over to silicon-carbon batteries in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series but, apparently, their lifespan is reduced by quite a bit.

According to EU regulatory documents, the silicon-carbon batteries in Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 are rated at 1,200~ charging cycles before hitting 80% capacity. That’s a pretty drastic cut from the 2,000~ cycles the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and other last-gen Samsung flagships were rated for.

A 1,200~ charge cycle rating isn’t totally out of the ordinary for Samsung, as we see that number across plenty of the company’s more affordable devices, but it is pretty low for a flagship, at least by Samsung’s standards.

Seeing as the battery tech is the only thing that changed, it’s likely silicon-carbon is to blame.

Silicon-carbon is inherently not as long-lasting as existing lithium-ion batteries, particularly as these batteries tend to enlarge in size later into their lifespans. That’s likely a part of the reason that Samsung didn’t push to a huge capacity upgrade on these new foldables. Silicon-carbon allows for a welcome upgrade in capacity without requiring thicker devices, but a higher capacity would require not only additional space now, but over the next several years.

Despite the drop in longevity, the capacity upgrade gives Samsung’s entire lineup much longer battery life compared to last year, and a higher “A” rating with the EPREL.

When explaining its approach to silicon-carbon to the media ahead of this week’s Unpacked event, Samsung said that safety and longevity were both key pillars of how it designed these batteries. Still, it’s hard to beat the actual physics of this new chemistry.

All of that said, Samsung is still beating out Google Pixel and iPhone in regards to this 80% longevity metric, as those devices only promise 1,000~ cycles as Android Authority points out.

Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 are available for pre-order now.

More on Samsung:

  • Samsung made the Galaxy Z Fold 8 a worse deal for those who actually want to switch
  • Ask me anything about Samsung’s new, wide Galaxy Z Fold 8
  • Samsung made it way easier to open up its Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldables

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