Maybe they want to show that they are coming up with fresh ideas and it helps their image even if the actual product is a failure? Or maybe if they wait a couple of years to launch it, it will be together with their folding model and that will steal the market so they might as well do it now.
The article begins by implying tech companies want thin phones. Which while not false is not entirely true either.
Tldr the cheaper chinese companies have been replacing graphite with silicon in the batteries to improve capacity at the expense of longevity. It's a new technology and it's obvious why the large companies would avoid it for now.
One interesting fact is that one practical limit for battery capacity is... Regulations! Any battery over ~ 5,400mAh would be classified as hazardous and cost more to ship, at least to eu.
fjd•1h ago