LG builds hexagonal battery for round smartwatches

April 26, 2020

LiPo batteries are square – and take up the most space in our portable devices. This also leads to restrictions in the shape of the device. Smartphones and tablets have to be designed, so to speak, around the power storage in order to accommodate as much energy as possible and thus ensure the longest possible runtime.

With smartwatches, this point poses a problem for the industry: Round is in. But square batteries inside actually mean wasting space. LG is now starting to supply hexagonal batteries for smart watches. Compared to a classic battery in the smartwatch, the better used space should bring about a 25 percent increase in capacity. In other words: "This development will give smartwatch users four hours more time [with the watch]," LG spokesman Woo Byeong-min told Sunday Korean Times.

LG expects further round smartwatches in the second half of this year. However, a new generation of the Apple Watch will either remain square or at least have a square battery: Apple is not one of the buyers of LG's new development.

In any case, there could be a lot going on in battery technology in the near future. The energy density may not increase significantly in one fell swoop, but the cells are likely to take on other forms in the future. LG Chem has secured patents for batteries in any shape. In the near future, L-shaped batteries or rectangular batteries with a hole in the middle will be presented.

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