Mobile phone batteries: Li-ion mobile phone batteries form bulk of production

Even as Li-ion models dominate China's mobile phone battery industry, turnout of Li-polymer versions will gain ground in the coming months. This comes as more compact and multimedia-enriched handsets that can maximize Li-polymer batteries' light weight, smaller form factor and large capacity enter the market.

Li-polymers accounted for only 17 percent of the country's output in 2008 as cost-related issues hampered production.

Over the past months, metal and electrolyte costs have increased substantially. Lead and nickel, for example, tripled.

Growing expenditure, particularly for materials, has resulted in the influx of foreign makers of mobile phone batteries into China to control manufacturing costs, giving rise to intense competition. According to some manufacturers, low value is placed on domestic mobile phone batteries when compared with versions from top-tier providers. A Nokia model, for example, can exceed $20 while the OEM cost at the China factory is only $3.50.

In addition, the current economic downturn has resulted in sharp decreases in exports. Small companies have been hit the hardest as sales plunged between 30 and 40 percent in past months. In fact, makers are predicting a series of consolidation with smaller players eventually withdrawing from the industry altogether.

Despite these difficulties, R&D efforts are continuous, spurred by the release of upscale mobile phones that require a power source that can provide longer standby and operating times.

Lighter, slimmer and safer than their Li-ion counterparts, Li-polymer batteries are suitable for compact and miniaturized handsets such as the iPhone. Models can be as thin as 0.5mm and have better discharge performance.

Power consumption, however, remains a challenge for the sector as the sizes and screens of supported devices become larger and more applications and functions are incorporated. To address these issues, suppliers are exploring other battery types such as fuel cells and solar-powered chemistries.

At present, mainstream China-made mobile phone batteries have 600 to 1,200mAh capacity. The output ranges from 3.6 to 3.8V while the charging voltage is between 4 and 4.2V. Prices are from $1.50 to $3.20. Shenzhen Jingyou Communication Technology Co. Ltd expects that quotes of Li-polymer designs will match Li-ion models, consequently dominating the market.

Some battery packs come with a basic module that provides overcharge protection. Full-function types prevent overcharging and discharging and short circuits.

Li-polymer versions with the same capacity as Li-ion chemistries are priced 30 percent higher. NiMH units are 30 percent heavier than the second type.

For models with similar dimensions, Li-polymers have an extra 150 to 200mAh.

One of the major hubs for batteries in the world, China produced more than 26 billion units worth $36 billion in 2008 and accounted for 40 percent of global Li-ion and Li-polymer turn out.

There are 500 mobile phone battery suppliers in the country. The majority is located in Guangdong province, where output represents two-thirds of total production. The cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou are the key manufacturing centers.

Many makers can also be found in Shanghai and Tianjin and Fujian provinces.

BYD, Shenzhen B&K and Shenzhen BAK and other large enterprises also offer battery cells. The output at these leading companies numbers in the millions.

Hong Kong suppliers of mobile phone batteries target the aftermarket. They direct development work toward models suitable for leading handset brands, including Nokia, Apple, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, Blackberry and Motorola. Sampling takes two to four weeks and usually starts once the mobile phone becomes available in retail stores.

Products usually have higher storage capacity than original packs. Further, high-capacity batteries have overvoltage and short circuit protection. Li-ion models take up the bulk of shipments. NiMH and Li-polymer versions are also exported in smaller volume.

For price flexibility, most suppliers give customers the option between high-reliability cells from Japan and low-cost acceptable-quality cells from mainland China. Versions of the component procured from Japan and South Korea are used almost exclusively for Li-polymer models.

Hong Kong has at least 20 suppliers of mobile phone batteries, although fewer than 10 are actually manufacturers. The supplier base also includes makers of handsets and accessories that offer batteries as an auxiliary line.

Cameron Sino Technology Ltd has R&D and manufacturing facilities for replacement batteries for mobile phones. It accepts OEM orders as well as distribution partnership for OBM products. The model CS-HDM100XL Li-ion battery has 1800mAh capacity and is compatible with the HTC Touch Diamond. It comes with a replacement back cover.

This article "Mobile phone batteries: Li-ion mobile phone batteries form bulk of production" is originally posted in Global Sources.

Shenzhen Hali-power Industrial Co Ltd
Shenzhen Jingyou Communication Tech. Co Ltd