Apple's rechargeable AA batteries are rebranded Sanyo Eneloops?

Recently released Apple's rechargeble batteries were found to have many of the same characteristics as the Sanyo Eneloop model HR-3UTG batteries first developed in 2005 and launched for sale in 2006. Both batteries retain over 75% of their charge after three years of use. In addition to having identical performance, the Sanyo rechargeables also have the same minimum capacity of 1900 mAh. Moreover, Apple's new rechargeable batteries do not offer any indication of who manufactured them.

Experts took apart one of the AA batteries from Apple, but did not find any evidence on the inside that they are manufactured by Sanyo. The batteries are the first Apple’s product, which doesn’t have an Apple logo on them. In fact, the only thing known about these batteries is what that they were made in Japan. Sanyo's corporate headquarters is in Japan, and its Eneloop batteries are manufactured also in Japan.

And batteries have almost similar prices: Apples batteries retail for $29 and Sanyo Eneloop – for about $22.

Apple has not commented this situation.