EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023) • Hacker News Board

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#81

Post by 1718627440 » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:50 AM UTC

mytailorisrich wrote: post #74

mentalgear wrote: post #13

The EU is displaying exactly the kind of political leadership we need in this topic: pro-consumer, pro-environment, and firmly against planned obsolescence. Removable batteries were the industry standard in the early days of mobile phones, and it worked perfectly. We only lost that standard when Apple’s 'walled garden' mindset infected the rest of the industry. The amount of avoidable e-waste generated since then is…

Re. mobile phones it is because it allows sleeker and thinner design, and IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway. But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced. That's not super common to need it (again) but there is no issue having it done. I had it done before. So overall I am skeptical that it will make a differe…

Replaceable batteries mean that you can just buy two or more and just carry them around so you can charge them less often. Alternatively you can charge the battery at home while you are away with the phone and have no down time for charging. (Down time meaning you can't carry the phone around.)

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#82

Post by mytailorisrich » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:51 AM UTC

linohh wrote: post #79

mytailorisrich wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Re. mobile phones it is because it allows sleeker and thinner design, and IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway. But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced. That's not super common to need it (again) but there is no issue having it done. I had it done before. So overall I am skeptical that it will make a differe…

The point being made is that if batteries can be replaced without specialized tools and training, the chances of that being done could be higher, potentially leading to longer usage time and reduced e-waste.

Obviously. I understand the stated aim.

My point is that things are rarely obvious. As you say, it "could". It is not obvious that it will make a difference and it might also increase the materials needed on both phones and battery.

I think the EU and European countries have much bigger fish to fry, including with regards to the environment.

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#83

Post by SkiFire13 » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:52 AM UTC

mytailorisrich wrote: post #74

mentalgear wrote: post #13

The EU is displaying exactly the kind of political leadership we need in this topic: pro-consumer, pro-environment, and firmly against planned obsolescence. Removable batteries were the industry standard in the early days of mobile phones, and it worked perfectly. We only lost that standard when Apple’s 'walled garden' mindset infected the rest of the industry. The amount of avoidable e-waste generated since then is…

Re. mobile phones it is because it allows sleeker and thinner design, and IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway. But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced. That's not super common to need it (again) but there is no issue having it done. I had it done before. So overall I am skeptical that it will make a differe…

> But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced.

There's a big difference between buying a new battery for swapping it yourself and having to pay someone else to do the same for you.

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#84

Post by mytailorisrich » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:53 AM UTC

1718627440 wrote: post #81

mytailorisrich wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Re. mobile phones it is because it allows sleeker and thinner design, and IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway. But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced. That's not super common to need it (again) but there is no issue having it done. I had it done before. So overall I am skeptical that it will make a differe…

Replaceable batteries mean that you can just buy two or more and just carry them around so you can charge them less often. Alternatively you can charge the battery at home while you are away with the phone and have no down time for charging. (Down time meaning you can't carry the phone around.)

Interestingly if people start to buy extra batteries as you suggest then this will completely defeat the stated purpose of having replaceable batteries!

That being said, now they buy external power banks...

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#85

Post by 243341286 » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:54 AM UTC

mentalgear wrote: post #13

The EU is displaying exactly the kind of political leadership we need in this topic: pro-consumer, pro-environment, and firmly against planned obsolescence. Removable batteries were the industry standard in the early days of mobile phones, and it worked perfectly. We only lost that standard when Apple’s 'walled garden' mindset infected the rest of the industry. The amount of avoidable e-waste generated since then is…

How do you make a phone with replaceable battery to also be water resistant?

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#86

Post by dvfjsdhgfv » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:59 AM UTC

mytailorisrich wrote: post #74

mentalgear wrote: post #13

The EU is displaying exactly the kind of political leadership we need in this topic: pro-consumer, pro-environment, and firmly against planned obsolescence. Removable batteries were the industry standard in the early days of mobile phones, and it worked perfectly. We only lost that standard when Apple’s 'walled garden' mindset infected the rest of the industry. The amount of avoidable e-waste generated since then is…

Re. mobile phones it is because it allows sleeker and thinner design, and IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway. But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced. That's not super common to need it (again) but there is no issue having it done. I had it done before. So overall I am skeptical that it will make a differe…

> IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway.

Well, it was the most common thing to do for me - after a couple of years, you notice the battery performs worse, so you order a new one and enjoy brand new performance. Now it's hard to do even for laptops, especially some brands.

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#87

Post by hermanzegerman » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC

mytailorisrich wrote: post #74

mentalgear wrote: post #13

The EU is displaying exactly the kind of political leadership we need in this topic: pro-consumer, pro-environment, and firmly against planned obsolescence. Removable batteries were the industry standard in the early days of mobile phones, and it worked perfectly. We only lost that standard when Apple’s 'walled garden' mindset infected the rest of the industry. The amount of avoidable e-waste generated since then is…

Re. mobile phones it is because it allows sleeker and thinner design, and IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway. But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced. That's not super common to need it (again) but there is no issue having it done. I had it done before. So overall I am skeptical that it will make a differe…

Oh yeah, because paying Apple 120$ for a 30$ part is totally the same Vs just doing it on your own with no tools.

Also, your phone must be in pristine condition because otherwise you will need to "repair" tons of stuff you don't need repaired/replaced.

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#88

Post by bmicraft » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC

mytailorisrich wrote: post #74

mentalgear wrote: post #13

The EU is displaying exactly the kind of political leadership we need in this topic: pro-consumer, pro-environment, and firmly against planned obsolescence. Removable batteries were the industry standard in the early days of mobile phones, and it worked perfectly. We only lost that standard when Apple’s 'walled garden' mindset infected the rest of the industry. The amount of avoidable e-waste generated since then is…

Re. mobile phones it is because it allows sleeker and thinner design, and IMHO it wasn't that common to replace batteries, anyway. But, really this is a non-issue because if you need a new battery for you phone, including iphone and samsung, just get it replaced. That's not super common to need it (again) but there is no issue having it done. I had it done before. So overall I am skeptical that it will make a differe…

The Galaxy S5 was only 8.1mm including camera bump, removable battery and IP67 rating.

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#89

Post by hermanzegerman » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 12:04 PM UTC

mytailorisrich wrote: post #84

1718627440 wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Replaceable batteries mean that you can just buy two or more and just carry them around so you can charge them less often. Alternatively you can charge the battery at home while you are away with the phone and have no down time for charging. (Down time meaning you can't carry the phone around.)

Interestingly if people start to buy extra batteries as you suggest then this will completely defeat the stated purpose of having replaceable batteries! That being said, now they buy external power banks...

No it won't. It's about reducing eWaste from the devices itself. Throwing away a whole device just because the battery is bad is much worse than just throwing away a worn out battery.

My 9 year old ThinkPad T470 is doing well with his 3rd or 4rd battery (and a new SSD and more RAM).

Also external powerbanks are pretty unpractical compared to a fresh new internal battery.

Re: EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)

#90

Post by nephihaha » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 12:05 PM UTC

mentalgear wrote: post #13

The EU is displaying exactly the kind of political leadership we need in this topic: pro-consumer, pro-environment, and firmly against planned obsolescence. Removable batteries were the industry standard in the early days of mobile phones, and it worked perfectly. We only lost that standard when Apple’s 'walled garden' mindset infected the rest of the industry. The amount of avoidable e-waste generated since then is…

I have such mixed feelings about the EU right now. This battery initiative is definitely a good idea, but I am not onboard with their constant attempts at censorship.