The four iPhone 12 models are excellent smartphones, but there is one overall problem: Battery tests on the iPhone 12 show that both the regular and Pro models struggle compared to the iPhone 11, and the impact is especially noticeable when playing 3D games.

It seems unlikely that Apple will make the same mistake twice: according to Ming-Chi Kuo (an Apple analyst with a very strong track record for accurate forecasts), the iPhone 13 will feature a new kind of battery technology that will increase capacity without increasing the footprint

An investment memo published by 9to5Mac details that a company called Jialianyi is expected to supply Apple with new battery technology, which is expected to increase revenue by 100% year over year.

"Jialianyi is expected to win about 40-50% of the orders for battery softboards for the iPhone 13 and 13 mini," Kuo wrote. We expect the iPhone 13 to be the first iPhone model to adopt battery softboard technology."

He added that while the iPhone 12's battery was supplied by Xinxing, Huatong, Yaohua, and TTM, the iPhone 13's soft board will be supplied by Xinxing, Huatong, and the aforementioned Jialianyi.

The note continues, "We believe that fewer suppliers will result in fewer battery panels for the iPhone 13 series, which will benefit the suppliers in the long run." As a new entrant, Jialianyi is the biggest beneficiary of the iPhone 13 series' switch to a battery softboard design."

Why is this important? Well, the softboard battery has fewer layers than those in previous iPhones, meaning Apple can increase capacity without making the phone thicker. Or, Apple can make the iPhone 13 even thinner without losing battery life. Either way, it is clear why Apple is so keen to replace the battery.

Keeping the dimensions the same with increased capacity would certainly help Apple's goal of introducing a 120 Hz screen. And given that we have already heard that Apple plans to introduce LTPO displays in the iPhone 13 Pro model, it seems likely that this could all be part of the master plan.

The advantage of the LTPO panels on the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note Ultra is that the screen can dynamically change refresh rates. This helps save battery life.

For now, if you want the longest battery life on a new iPhone, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is your best bet: If you want a huge 6.7-inch display, this device lasted nearly two hours longer in our tests than the iPhone 12 Pro.