Apple Toned Battery to Create Slimmer iPad 2

ISuppli said Wednesday that Apple had decreased the size of the iPad's battery while increasing the battery's energy density, thus making it smaller while maintaining the same battery life.

ISuppli identified four components that decreased in size from the iPad 1 to the iPad 2: the battery, the clearance between components and the chassis, the thickness of the display, and the touchscreen overlay. In total, the thickness of the iPad 2 decreased by 34 percent to 8.80 millimeters, versus 13.40 millimeters for the iPad 1.

Apple's slimmed-down battery is 10 to 15 percent more power efficient, in terms of power delivery versus the mass of the battery. "The iPad 2 battery design represents a major shift from the iPad 1," Keller said. "Apple moved from two thicker cells to three thinner ones, flattening out the entire battery structure. The new design also allowed Apple to eliminate an injection-molded plastic support frame from the battery subsystem, further cutting down its thickness."

ISuppli also noted that Apple eliminated the stamped metal sheet frame and adopted a new glass layer for the touchscreen.