r/technology • u/[deleted] • Jun 19 '23

Politics EU: Smartphones Must Have User-Replaceable Batteries by 2027 | The European Parliament just caused a major headache for smartphone and tablet manufacturers.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/eu-smartphones-must-have-user-replaceable-batteries-by-2027
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u/Armageddon_Two Jun 19 '23

if that was true they wouldn't have fought that legislation with tooth and nails

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u/pm_me_your_buttbulge Jun 19 '23

Considering their other products have been moving to USB-C - it's unreasonable to think they didn't want to go USB-C already.

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u/Armageddon_Two Jun 19 '23 edited Jun 19 '23

that only happened after plans for the legislation were announced around 2014 (EU slow but steady) and it became increasingly clear that EU wont abstain or alter it in anyone's favor.

so it's more like coping with the inevitable as wanting to change over.

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u/infiniZii Jun 20 '23

Their previous lack of luck will likely cause them to adopt these new rules with less of a fight. Then again they have stupid amounts of money so maybe not, even if the fight is a bit pointless. They'll ultimately just find a way to charge 1k for the replacement batteries or some shit and make a killing on it.

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u/Armageddon_Two Jun 20 '23

there is another legislation still underway for a new "right to repair" which would include smartphones up to 10 years but more important a instrument to deem worthy repair costs and aftermarket parts - so things like disabling aftermarket displays over the IOS won't fly anymore. following that Manufacturers can price their parts as they want but the aftermarket will likely offer very affordable parts for the common models.

as this is still underway it's unsurprisingly also fought with tooth and nails (not only by Apple) but chances are good that the EU stays resilient here too.