The Ultimate Game-Changer: Brace Yourself for the Epic Return of Removable Smartphone Batteries
The European Union may bring back the era of removable smartphone batteries, allowing users to easily replace their batteries by simply removing the plastic back of their phones
In the past, you could easily remove your phone's battery by simply taking off the plastic back. This type of design might make a comeback, at least partially, thanks to the European Union.
New regulations regarding smartphone batteries are expected to be approved by the European Union. If successful, smartphone companies will be required to make it easy for users to access and remove their batteries. The proposed rules state that users should be able to remove the batteries without any special tools or expertise. By 2027, smartphone makers will be obligated to launch phones with removable batteries, or else they will not be permitted to sell those phones in Europe.
Currently, performing a battery removal on most smartphones requires a heat gun, potentially a prying tool, and often one or two screwdrivers. The process lacks standardization and varies between different smartphone models, although the fundamental principles remain the same. It is highly likely that you will need to purchase specific tools, exercise extreme caution, and repeatedly watch instructional videos on YouTube to avoid any mishaps. This stands in stark contrast to the earlier days when the only tool required was your own fingernail.
Although a few smartphones, such as the Fairphone 4, still defy this trend by being exceptionally repair-friendly, they remain the exception rather than the norm. The majority of major manufacturers have transitioned to using non-removable batteries. This shift began with the introduction of the first iPhone in 2007, although some companies resisted the change for several years. Eventually, however, they relented. Samsung made the transition to non-removable batteries with the release of the Galaxy S6 in 2015, and many other Android OEMs followed suit either earlier or around the same time as Samsung.
Approval from the European Union will initiate a reversal in this trend, leading to the resurgence of removable batteries. Europe's stringent regulations are pressuring Apple to adopt USB-C, thereby phasing out the Lightning port on iPhones. This transition is anticipated to occur with the release of the iPhone 15, which is rumored to feature a USB-C port.
Via: ExtremeTech
