Samsung reviews Japanese batteries for Galaxy S8

Samsung Electronics’ mobile business President Koh Dong-jin speaks during a press conference at the company’s office in Seocho, southern Seoul, Jan. 23. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

By Kang Seung-woo

Samsung Electronics may opt for Japanese-made batteries for its upcoming flagship Galaxy S8 smartphones in the wake of the Galaxy Note 7 battery fiasco.

According to the world’s largest smartphone maker, Friday, it is reviewing the possibility of using lithium-ion polymer batteries manufactured by Japan’s Murata Manufacturing.

Last year, Murata acquired Sony Energy Devices Corp., a battery maker for smartphones, tablets and digital cameras.

Following the Note 7 disaster, in which the company scrapped the jumbo phones three months after its release due to a battery fire problem, the Korean tech giant has sought to add another battery supplier to avoid the risk of future failures.

Last month, Samsung blamed the poorly designed and manufactured batteries for the problem that caused some of the devices to catch fire. Its affiliate Samsung SDI and China’s Amperex Technology rolled out the batteries. Some 80 percent came from the former and the rest from the latter.

However, Samsung said that it has not decided anything yet regarding whether it will source batteries from the Japanese company or exclude the Chinese manufacturer from its battery supplier list for the S8.

With the S8 expected to debut in late March or early April, it has been established that Samsung SDI will still remain a battery provider for the next-generation smartphone, according to market watchers.

In addition, there has been speculation that Samsung may use batteries made by LG Chem, a sister company of its rival LG Electronics, but it seems unlikely for the S8.

Industry observers pointed out that Samsung is expected to sign a supply deal with Murata, given that it has shown interest in Sony’s lithium-ion batteries.

Plus, they said that no follow-up action from Amperex Technology after the Note 7’s production termination may mean that Samsung will change its supplier _ a sharp contrast to Samsung SDI that promised to spend 150 billion won to improve its battery quality.

However, Samsung said last month that it had no plan to take legal action against the suppliers.

The Sony battery business also supplies its products to Apple and other Chinese smartphone companies.