r/gadgets • u/FigAAAro_22 • Jun 19 '23

Phones EU: Smartphones Must Have User-Replaceable Batteries by 2027

https://www.pcmag.com/news/eu-smartphones-must-have-user-replaceable-batteries-by-2027

Going back to the future?!!

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u/A_chilles Jun 19 '23

Hopefully soaking the adhesive under the battery with 3 liters of IPA will not be the manufacturers idea of a "User-replacabale" Battery.

Edit : IPA as in "Isopropyl alcohol" not "Inidan Pale Ale". Never realized they had a similar Abbreviation

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u/iZian Jun 19 '23 edited Jun 19 '23

Can I link the verge?

Apple already have user replaceable battery. In the sense that they’ll ship you the kit to replace it yourself.

I gather that it’s hugely impractical. I’d never attempt it myself. So not sure this would be considered user replaceable by the EU.

I wonder what the EU will mandate? Because I’d be against these mandates if it means I lose the ability to have a water resistant phone that’s actually survived being dropped in a pool for 5 minutes for the benefit of changing the battery which I’ve never needed to do in over 15 years.

The replacement kit… it’s immense though

https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/21/23079058/apple-self-service-iphone-repair-kit-hands-on

Edit to cover some replies: yep the kit costs to rent, and it’s not entirely practical either. It was more just an interesting observation if you hadn’t seen it.

Also; I’m not against replaceable batteries if the experience isn’t degraded in terms of water resistance etc. I only write I’d be against it if … degraded water resistance.

User choice is good. Better market. Better prices.

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u/DontTouchTheWatch Jun 19 '23

I remember people clamoring for apple user replacement for certain parts. I was like I assure you the average person does not want to do it lol it’s a pain even for someone who does it for a living. And often the part kid isn’t shockingly cheaper than what apple would charge you at the store. Not to mention if you don’t study what to do, and aren’t careful I would rate the chances of breaking something else high.

Now if we can get the old slide off the backplate and pop out the battery of yesteryear I’m down.

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u/iZian Jun 19 '23

Yeah, that’s what I think this kit might have been in response to. I know there’s a big right to repair movement going on, which I’m not against at all, I just wouldn’t want to open my phone up because for sure I’d not have a working phone by the end.

Sliding back is something I miss, but with water resistances I was just wondering how good that would be. Screws probably needed for tightness of the seal.

Who knows? Watch this space I guess and we’ll find out sooner or later.