Apple Says iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Batteries Can Be Removed With Low-Voltage Electrical Current

[9081094]

That damn EU. Instead of investing in camera or battery life, Apple had to make battery replacement easier.

If you're angry about the tiny upgrade, direct your hatred at the European Parliament. This would never have been possible in the States.

/s

Let’s be fair, the EU is pushing Apple to innovate and be more consumer friendly.

 

[dampfnudel]

Wish it included the 16 Pro.

Saving it for the 17 Pro.

 

[9081094]

Bizarre that this is exclusive to the standard models. Surely they would be able to use the same glue for the Pros - they're all aluminum on the inside.

I think that will be Apple’s next year innovation breakthrough 😜

 

[dampfnudel]

I wonder if the 16 Pro battery is better/different so as to not have to meet the easily replaceable requirements. Or if it's just a manufacturing process that wasn't on the Pro line. It does seem like a strange difference. One would think it would be cheaper to pick one way and stick with it.

It could necessitate a major change in the manufacturing process that may come with the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Maybe a significant redesign for the Pro that some people like Kuo may have confused with a brand new model some have dubbed the “Air” or whatever.

 

[CaptTee]

It does strike me as strange. I am sure we will find out next week why, when there is a tear down done. Hopefully, there won’t be the standard adhesive strips.

My first thought was they are not going to market the high end iPhones for Europe to spite them and their regulations. They probably wouldn't lose much business since anyone who would buy the high end iPhones would likely buy one on a business trip to a non-EU country.

 

[farmboy]

People aren't that concerned with weight, otherwise we wouldn't have phones with delicate glass backs that weigh far more and are far less durable than an aluminum enclosure. Induction coil based charging is a cool idea. I get that people like it, but is completely unnecessary.

Thickness isn't much of a worry either when you see the thickness of people's devices once they add a case to protect the glass back and/or a massive MagSafe battery pack.

It would not be that hard to package a replacement battery adhered to a new aluminum back with a self sealing gasket that can be screwed into place. I'm willing to bet they could even develop a simple torque screwdriver that clicks when the appropriate torque is applied to the screws to ensure proper installation.

If they can solve the problem of DC released adhesive, they can solve a couple much simpler engineering problem. It might just mean that they have to lean on a more industrial design aesthetic than the slab of glass.

Apps and a touch screen are completely unnecessary too. I get that people like those, but all we need are push buttons (/s).

 

[Victor Mortimer]

that seems awfully complicated.

there is no reason we can't go back to the way old phones connected batteries.

if they are worried about the battery moving then have it clip in or stick a tiny bit of adhesive but it shouldn't really be an issue... it's not like the battery has any space to move lol. that way all you gotta do is remove the screen and easily pull the battery out.

THIS!!!!!!

Sometimes, the old way really was better.

In this case, nearly infinitely better. There is ZERO reason batteries should EVER be glued in place.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

That’s a nice slick apple inspired phone back.

This is a nice slick Apple battery replacement design:

Apple knows how to do batteries right. They just choose to do them wrong now.

They haven't always.

 

[svish]

Expecting this to be present in next year's Pro models. Easier battery removal is good.

 

[JPack]

Teardown of the iPhone 16 shows no metal encased battery. Apple says it's using the new adhesive. So it's clear the metal case has nothing to do with the adhesive.