More Android Phones in US, EU Could Finally Get Huge Batteries, Thanks to Apple
Apple’s firmware workaround lets the phone ship with a larger single-cell battery, and the limit is removed after first activation.
- Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a firmware-based 'Prepare to Ship' mode to bypass international 20Wh shipping regulations for large, single-cell batteries. The software trick allows the device to meet transport requirements before automatic activation upon first use.
- International transport regulations prohibit shipping single-cell batteries exceeding 20Wh through standard services like USPS and Royal Mail, classifying them as 'dangerous goods.' Manufacturers previously faced choosing between complex dual-cell designs or smaller, less efficient batteries to remain compliant.
- Upon first use, the iPhone restores its full charging capacity, rated at around 21.75Wh for US eSIM-only models, as the software lock removes itself automatically once the device is booted. Users access Settings to manually re-enable the mode when shipping for repair or resale.
- For future repairs or resales, users must manually re-enable the mode via Settings, which involves a 14-day, 80 percent charge cap. Apple notes the process might cause the phone to become 'warmer than usual' during the firmware adjustment.
- This firmware-based approach could eventually become an industry standard, potentially allowing manufacturers to ship devices with larger batteries to the US and Europe without relying on costly dual-cell designs. Experts suggest this solution may effectively eliminate regulatory hurdles for future smartphone generations.
19 Articles
19 Articles
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a clever feature to avoid problems with its larger battery that might become the new normal — here’s what you need to know
The iPhone 18 Pro Max's battery is too high capacity for standard shipping, but Apple has found a software solution.
Apple’s clever software solution lets iPhone batteries skirt shipping limits
Apple has developed an unexpected workaround to prevent the iPhone 18 Pro Max from being hit by shipping restrictions on big batteries. There's a "battery-firmware solution" in place on the new iPhones, according to Apple's support page, which keeps capacity below the 20Wh limit for single-cell batteries set by international shipping regulations - but this […]
More Android phones in US, EU could finally get huge batteries, thanks to Apple
Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Apple has revealed the Prepare to Ship feature for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and we hope Android OEMs copy this option. This feature caps the iPhone’s battery capacity during transport, allowing the iPhone 18 Pro Max to meet transport requirements in many countries. The cap is removed once the phone is activated, allowing for higher battery capacities in Europe, the US, and other markets. Smartphone…
Here's how Apple got around shipping restrictions for the iPhone 18 Pro Max's large battery
If you've been following the smartphone trends in recent years, you've probably noticed that the battery capacities of recent flagships have grown significantly. That's mainly because of the new silicon-carbon chemistry that allows higher-density cells, which in turn allows manufacturers to offer larger batteries at the same size. However, manufacturers found themselves in a bit of a conundrum since international shipping regulations make shippi…
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