Samsung Electronics will use batteries made by China’s Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) for the initial batches of its Galaxy S21 smartphones, TheElec has learned.
It is ATL’s first supply to Samsung for the Galaxy S series in two years. The Chinese firm last supplied its batteries for the Galaxy S9 smartphone when it comes to the flagship brand.
ATL was currently producing the batteries that will be used in the standard, plus and ultra models of the Galaxy S21 series.
It is the first time the Chinese company is making batteries for all the models of a single series when it comes to Samsung.
The batteries will be 4,000mAh, 4,800mAh and 5,000mAh.
ATL has supplied its batteries in the past to Samsung for use in Galaxy A and M series. Its compatriot BYD has also supplied its batteries for them.
Most of the batteries made by the Chinese companies were for the models made by original design manufacturerer (ODM) in China, which Samsung uses to contract-make some of its smartphones.
Samsung Mobile removed ATL as a supplier for its flagship smartphone models in 2016 after the Galaxy Note 7 battery fire scandal. It increased supply from affiliate Samsung SDI instead.
Samsung Mobile has also attempted to diversify its battery supply chain by securing cells from LG Chem as well as Elentec, Almus and ITM Semiconductor.
ATL supplied for flagship smartphones again with the Galaxy S9 but they were not for the initial batch and only for additionally produced units.
Samsung is likely using ATL again to save in costs.
ATL rivals Samsung SDI and LG Chem in technology and influence in small-sized pouch batteries and Samsung has now reason to avoid the company, a person familiar with the matter said.
According to B3, in 2019, Samsung SDI has a 28.4% market share in small-sized batteries, followed by LG Chem’s 19.5% and ATL’s 17.1%.
