Apple's iPhone 11 Pro, a device that's been around for almost seven years, gets a dramatic makeover with a 12,000mAh battery swap. This upgrade challenges the notion that Apple faces space constraints in its devices. The latest iPhones are gradually increasing their battery capacity, with the eSIM version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max boasting a massive 5,088mAh cell. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to surpass this, but for a long time, it was believed that Apple couldn't fit larger batteries due to space limitations. However, this myth is shattered by the video showcasing the iPhone 11 Pro's battery replacement with a 12,000mAh unit, a significant leap from its original 3,046mAh capacity.
The new battery maintains the same physical dimensions as the original, ensuring compatibility with the iPhone 11 Pro's design. The YouTube channel The Fix conducted this experiment, replacing the battery of an iPhone 11 Pro with a 12,000mAh unit, despite its battery health being only 67%. The process was straightforward, and the new battery's size was identical to the old one, suggesting it's a silicon-carbon variant. While Apple discourages the use of unofficial batteries, many of its Chinese competitors have been using this technology for years, making the 12,000mAh swap a relatively safe choice.
The battery installation was effortless, and the upgrade is substantial, even though the rated capacity is listed as 10,000mAh. This still represents a 330% increase in capacity, a significant improvement. The debate arises from the observation that Apple often uses smaller batteries in its iPhones. However, the company's massive annual production volume makes it impractical to ship defective units, and the risk of battery fires is a more serious concern.
This experiment highlights Apple's ability to overcome space constraints and offers a solution for older iPhone models, ensuring they remain functional and efficient for years to come. The Fix's video provides a fascinating insight into the potential of battery upgrades, challenging the notion that older devices are limited by their original specifications.
