Earlier quoted context omitted.
With respect, then, why do you think iPhone or iPad batteries can’t be replaced by the average user after a decade and a half?
For the same reason I can't replace the battery on my electric car (not the 9V one). Because the car maker made that choice, for a myriad of good and bad reasons. What's your point?
My point was that GP made a strong assertion that didn’t quite bear up to scrutiny IMHO:
> I say this as someone who worked several years in engineering at Apple, and they were extremely environmentally conscientious years before it was a thing.
It seems to me that an “extremely environmentally conscientious” company would place a much higher priority on serviceability. But I am very open to contrary reasoning and I don’t know any Apple engineers. This was a rare opportunity.
I hasten to say that Apple products are so good I overlook this disadvantage, but then I don’t describe myself as extremely environmentally conscientious.