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All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

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Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#311

Post by FridayoLeary »

wincy wrote: post #255
bombcar wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're taking "commercially available" to mean things like a screwdriver - not a $1000 phone disassembly machine.

With all due respect, I can buy a kit on iFixit for $55 for an iPhone 16 pro max, including the battery . I’ve replaced my iPhone battery before, aside from the glue being a bit sticky so needing a heat gun it isn’t that difficult.

And you can do it for much less if you want. I've replaced phone batteries with 6 dollars worth of tools and a hairdryer. You can buy glue or sticky gaskets for next to nothing as well if you care about waterproofing.

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#312

Post by ImPostingOnHN »

emtel wrote: post #283
ImPostingOnHN wrote: post #273

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you stood on the street corner and asked every passerby what they would change about their phone, I think you would be there all day before someone said "I wish I could replace the battery". If you stood on the street corner and asked every passerby if they want their phone to have a replaceable battery, I don't think you would be there very long before receiving a "yes". I think that's a more honest framing of…

> The goal is not to force individuals to not replace their phones, but rather to provide that as an option at all, for those who want it. But my point is that you need to recognize that in so doing, you are taking away the option of having other things, such as waterproofing, larger batteries, smaller/lighter phones, etc. There is no free lunch.

> But my point is that you need to recognize that in so doing, you are taking away the option of having other things, such as waterproofing, larger batteries, smaller/lighter phones, etc. There is no free lunch.

1. Waterproofing is possible with replaceable batteries.

2. Larger batteries are possible with replaceable batteries. In fact, replaceable batteries makes this easier. I'm old enough to remember when you could buy a bigger battery for your cell phone that came with a bulged cover to accommodate it. If you don't want that though, you will have the choice to avoid it.

3. Smaller/lighter phones are possible with user-replaceable batteries. You could even use a smaller/lighter battery, too, if you wanted

These options aren't being taken away. We're just adding another option.

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#313

Post by nebalee »

emtel wrote: post #258

One of the most frustrating things about HN is that people seem so unaware of how idiosyncratic their preferences are. If you stood on the street corner and asked every passerby what they would change about their phone, I think you would be there all day before someone said "I wish I could replace the battery". It's okay to have idiosyncratic preferences (I certainly do), but people should recognize that this law wil…

With the replaceable batteries the people at least have a choice. Without the option for a battery swap you had to buy a new device and throw away a otherwise totally fine one.

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#314

Post by marcosdumay »

emtel wrote: post #258

One of the most frustrating things about HN is that people seem so unaware of how idiosyncratic their preferences are. If you stood on the street corner and asked every passerby what they would change about their phone, I think you would be there all day before someone said "I wish I could replace the battery". It's okay to have idiosyncratic preferences (I certainly do), but people should recognize that this law wil…

I don't think any single person I know would say they would exchange replaceable batteries for a 1mm thinner phone, waterproof up to 100m instead of 10m, or a $5 difference in price.

In fact, the only place I would ever expect somebody to claim otherwise is here.

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#316

Post by detourdog »

Aachen wrote: post #265
detourdog wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Batteries on early cell phones needed to be replaced multiple times a day. I remember talk time of like 10 minutes on my motorola StarTec.

1996, for anyone else wondering Not sure how comparable that is when considering that the devices are also commonly required as ticket on public transport with no offline fallback (going so far as to include animations on the screen so you can't send a screenshot to a friend or print it out -- no, I have no idea why they think you can't send a video to a friend). Having 10 minutes of use time is simply not on the tab…

https://support.apple.com/guide/security/express-cards-with-...

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#317

Post by bananamogul »

Shacklz wrote: post #261
proee wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This could be "fixed" right now by a software update that limits the maximum charge level to 80% of capacity. However, this comes at the cost of how many minutes of runtime your phone can operate. So manufactures might just responds to this by making your phone heavier with a bigger battery that is being under utilized.

Honestly we should define 80% as the new "100%" on such batteries and label "charging to full" as "overcharging". Psychologically, people understand charging a battery to "125%" (or whatever) a lot better: Do it when you really need to but if you do it all the time it wears down the battery a lot faster.

Yes and yes.

I recently investigated large portable power banks (Jackery, etc.) and like that there are options to charge faster with a battery life tradeoff. Let people make their own informed choices.

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#318

Post by Aachen »

Aissen wrote: post #169

Next: replaceable storage? Since flash-based storage is widely known as a consumable that tends to fail first.

You mean the kind of "first" that comes right after shattered screens, worn batteries, and loose charging ports? :P

I agree in spirit though: storage chips wearing out seems to be common from my limited experience and it would be good if you could solder on, or slide in, a new chip with some standard procedure

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#319

Post by close04 »

less_less wrote: post #127
close04 wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple has no chance to claim their batteries can have 80% capacity after 1000 cycles seeing how they never achieved this so far. Lying about it puts them in a world of mass recalls and fraud investigations.

I'm pretty the spec sheet claimed 1000 cycles when I bought my iPhone 17. They do claim it at least for iPhone 15 "under ideal conditions": https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575

VW engine specs said some things about emissions. It’s fine to have unrealistic specs if there are no consequences. The f there’s a law about it they’re far more exposed to people catching a lie or at least an unrealistic estimate.

Re: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027

#320

Post by hilbert42 »

Ntrails wrote: post #304
nicpottier wrote: post #290

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think phone manufacturers will figure it out once it is a requirement. Was switching everyone to USB-C annoying for Apple? Sure. Are we in a better place because the EU forced it. You betcha. That's the point. I don't love everything the EU does (cookie banners!?) but this is one where I have confidence that the consumer will ultimately benefit. As others have noted, most people do not replace their phones every tw…

> Are we in a better place because the EU forced it. You betcha. That's the point. Speak for yourself, I've gained nothing but annoyance. (I'm willing to accept a theoretical greater good argument - but I'm not precisely sold)

What exactly is your specific annoyance?
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