Published: 05 October 1998
ID: G0072623
Analyst(s): Naqi A. Jaffery
Nickel cadmium batteries, currently the most widely used rechargeables in wireless phones, are giving way to nickel-metal hydride batteries, which offer several advantages. Lithium ion, with its high-performance characteristics, is becoming the technology of choice for high-end wireless handsets. As Polymer Li-Ion becomes commercially available, it could unleash a range of wireless handset types that will benefit from its shape flexibility. Lithium-sulfur technology is being developed as a lighter and low-cost alternative for wireless handsets. Disposable zinc-air technology is emerging as a competitor to alkaline, and rechargeable zinc-air will likely be used in wireless handsets down the road. In the next few years, fuel-cell technology, which uses fuel as a power source, will compete with battery technology for use in wireless handsets.
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