While many tech companies are pushing ahead with research and testing of silicon-carbon anode batteries to replace traditional graphite in lithium-ion batteries, Samsung is still reluctant to pursue this direction. Although the new technology promises higher energy density, faster charging, and better performance, there are risks that Samsung has reason to be cautious about, especially with high-end devices that have long software life cycles.

According to industry experts, the biggest drawback of silicon-carbon batteries is their poor durability. These batteries can degrade rapidly after only 2 to 3 years of use. This poses a big problem for Samsung, which has committed to providing up to 7 years of software support for lines like the Galaxy S25 or Fold 7, and even 8 years for enterprise devices. Battery life needs to match the software support period, if it does not want the user experience to be affected.

In theory, silicon anodes can hold 10 times more lithium than graphite. But when charging, silicon expands up to three times its original volume, putting pressure on the battery structure, making it prone to cracking and degrading performance over time. Several new materials and design solutions are being researched to overcome this situation, but most are still only in the laboratory testing stage or in limited production, not reliable enough for mass application in consumer devices.

In addition to durability, safety is also a major concern. Silicon-carbon batteries store more energy, which means that when problems such as overheating or short circuiting occur, the consequences can be more serious. In compact devices such as smartphones or tablets, controlling these situations becomes even more difficult as energy density increases.

Having experienced the memorable incident with the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung clearly does not want to repeat the mistake. The company seems to be prioritizing stability, safety, and long-term reliability instead of chasing theoretical performance.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Samsung is ignoring new battery technology. It may still be testing it internally. But until the expansion issues are fully resolved and real-world performance is clearly demonstrated, sticking with lithium-ion batteries seems like a reasonable option. Will next year’s Galaxy S26 series mark a change? We’ll have to wait and see.