Smartphone users may one day no longer have to wait for hours to fully charge their devices. Researchers at Flinders University in Australia have developed a new battery technology that could be fully charged in just three minutes.

The experimental battery can reportedly withstand up to 60,000 complete charging cycles, potentially giving it an extremely long working life compared with conventional smartphone batteries.

New zinc-iodine technology

The researchers used zinc-iodine technology instead of the lithium-ion batteries commonly found in smartphones today.

Lithium-ion batteries generally use lithium cobalt oxide and graphite layers. Lithium ions move between these layers during charging and use, while electrons are released to generate electrical energy.

This process also produces heat, particularly during heavy use or charging. Over time, repeated heating and charging can contribute to battery degradation and reduced capacity.

The new zinc-iodine design aims to overcome some of these limitations while offering much faster charging and improved durability.

Could last for decades

Researchers said a battery capable of completing 60,000 full charging cycles could theoretically have an exceptionally long lifespan. If charged once daily, that would amount to roughly 164 years of cycles.

However, this does not mean smartphones using the technology could actually operate for 164 years, as other components would wear out much earlier.

Not ready for smartphones yet

Despite the promising results, the technology is still under development. Flinders University researchers said the battery is not currently available for smartphones and requires further improvements before commercial use.

If successfully developed, the technology could transform not only smartphones but also electric vehicles and energy-storage systems.