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Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

ecopv-eu.com

111–120 of 560 posts

Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#112
post #7

There's an exception for batteries that "retain at least 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles." Coincidentally, iPhones and probably other flagships already qualify for this exception.

Huh, my iPhones have never come close to this. They are always under 80% capacity before 1000 charge cycles.

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Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#113

While sounding nice in theory, these sorts of regulations will certainly curtail innovation while providing very, very little value elsewhere. If people wanted removable batteries in their phones, they would buy them a lot. They don't.

that isnt how markets really work. you could say that if apple had two otherwise identical iphones except one has removable battery and one doesn't. but the enshittification cycle works via a ratcheting effect. once you achieve a certain level of dominance and lock-in, you can start getting away with all kinds of anti-consumer strategies to make more money and not get punished for it, and your competitors will follow suit. as long as you can ratchet above whatever detrimental thing you want to get away with is you'll probably be fine.

you can look at the lightning connector as an example. if you said "if people wanted usb connectivity they wouldn't buy iphones", nobody would take you seriously. and when apple was forced to switch, it absolutely didnt tank their sales because people just loved the lightning connector so much. the bad thing went away and it was great.

Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#114
post #7

There's an exception for batteries that "retain at least 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles." Coincidentally, iPhones and probably other flagships already qualify for this exception.

Huh, my iPhones have never come close to this. They are always under 80% capacity before 1000 charge cycles.

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Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i’m ok with this and an $80 battery replacement in exchange for better waterproofing

My low-cost plastic Casio watch based on a very old design is waterproof and battery can be swapped out by undoing 4 philips screws, no glue. Its buttons can also be operated under water while staying waterproof. What is this whicraft?

A gasket.

Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i’m ok with this and an $80 battery replacement in exchange for better waterproofing

IP68, replaceable battery, phone jack, 5G: https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_xcover6_pro-11600.php

2 mm thicker and 58 grams heavier than the latest iPhone.

Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#117

While sounding nice in theory, these sorts of regulations will certainly curtail innovation while providing very, very little value elsewhere. If people wanted removable batteries in their phones, they would buy them a lot. They don't.

> If people wanted removable batteries in their phones, they would buy them a lot. They don't.

This argument gets thrown about every time companies make anti-consumer changes, and it completely ignores the information asymmetry and other dynamics at play. When I go to the store to buy a new phone, where does it list on the box how repairable the device is? Where does it show how expensive the repair will be? If I'm locked in the apple ecosystem, where do I buy an iPhone with a replaceable battery?

Your assumption that the market is driven by informed consumer choices presupposes that every buyer is an expert.

Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My low-cost plastic Casio watch based on a very old design is waterproof and battery can be swapped out by undoing 4 philips screws, no glue. Its buttons can also be operated under water while staying waterproof. What is this whicraft?

I get it for watches, but I've never understood the mass-market need for a waterproof phone, outside of a few niche hobbies. Are people showering and swimming with their phones or something? Or dropping them in their toilets? The wettest my phone has ever been in 8 years is in my pocket while it's raining.

> Or dropping them in their toilets?

That.

It’s also nice to be able to wash them under the tap

Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#119
The number of people worried about a slightly thicker phone are absolutely baffling to me. I honestly think there is no hope for us broadly. Normally I'd say that people cannot deal with minor inconveniences -- but this does not even register as an inconvenience.

From my view, this is a _perceived_ downgrade in luxury status. Not even a real downgrade in luxury status -- and not a downgrade in convenience whatsoever.

Re: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

#120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And 4 years old... I wouldn't buy this new

The comment is not meant to give you something to buy, it's just proof that it can technically be done, they just don't want to do it for modern flagships.

> it can technically be done

At what cost though?! And no, I am not talking about money. Any device (and any product really) is a set of tradeoffs.

I like it when different producers select a different subset of priorities for their offer. Competition at work. One of the reasons we witnessed such an awesome evolution in the smartphone market.

I hate it when a bureaucrat dictates a set of demands with absolutely zero regard to the cost or the tradeoffs involved in product decisions and market competition.

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