European Union votes to bring back replaceable phone batteries

Post by saalweachter » Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:04 PM UTC

epolanski wrote: post #34

gevz wrote: post #9

I wonder what is the definition of easily removable and replaceable. Does popping a few screws and using a specialized tool qualifies as easy? What about re-sealing the device after to keep the waterproof rating?

Is waterproof even a real needed feature? Like, I've been owning mobile phones for 22 years at this point and it's literally something I've never cared or benefitted from. On the other hand, having replaceable batteries is definitely something that's been useful in the past.

Post by sdenton4 » Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:05 PM UTC

watwut wrote: post #24

unglaublich wrote: post #7

The problem is not really the battery anymore, it's the software mainly. It's all closed source and is often deprecated before the hardware is dead. Then the manufacturer makes it hard to unlock bootloaders; keeps drivers closed source and effectively bricks the device. For recurring sales are the backbone of modern economy so we must force obsolescence. Why would you want to replace a battery in a useless device? Pl…

Battery in my last device became too weak long before device was useless. Device was perfectly fine, just that battery did not hold long anymore.

Post by seszett » Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:05 PM UTC

Vespasian wrote: post #44

Simulacra wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish you were right but I have zero faith that Apple would ever willingly follow through with this. A depleted battery is an opportunity for them to sell people on a new phone who don't realize they can get the battery replaced. It also totally goes against their whole ethos of non-repair. Mandating USB C was easier because Apple already did that with the Macbooks, so it wasn't that big of a leap. Removable batteri…

Not so long ago some people claimed apple would rather leave the EU market than implement USB-C or open up the app store. They complied (or are in the process of complying) with these regulations. Afaik the proposed battery act allows either swappable batteries or a minimum "lifetime".

Post by smn1234 » Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:05 PM UTC

eterevsky wrote: post #37

smn1234 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd much rather be able to swap a charged battery for the drained one in my phone especially in such circumstances as when I'm in a foreign country and dependent on my phone (for e.g. safety, to get around) and there's not a iPhone cable or charge point around. It seems like a no brainer, certainly from a consumer benefit perspective. Using batteries as a mechanism for hardware upgrades is ridiculous, instead of the…

If a battery lasts a couple of days, I would much rather my phone were waterproof than be able to swap the battery. Having a power bank solves the problem of discharged phone for me, and anyway I almost never have to use it. Being able to drop your phone in the water and pick it up still working is far more valuable to me.

Post by Etheryte » Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:05 PM UTC

danpalmer wrote: post #6

I love the EU's focus on consumer protections and I'm all for progressive policies on environmental issues, but this and the USB-C issue strike me as misguided, policies from people who aren't qualified to to make the decisions they are making, and aren't listening to experts. I'm glad we're getting USB-C on the iPhone, but it wasn't a huge problem and it was probably coming anyway in the next few years. But replacea…