Other iPhone in 2027: will we get user-replaceable batteries?

[uacd]

As we all know, by 18/03/2027, under the new EU’s Battery Regulation, most portable devices must have removable and user-replaceable batteries, and should be possible to detach only with commercially available tools, without special or proprietary tools, heat guns, glue, solvents or any other trash. Finally, it might become day that will change consumer rights worldwide, forever.

I wonder, how is Apple feeling about that? Do you think they have already come up with any ideas about that?

As in every other law, there are exemptions. Those exemptions can be applied to fully waterproof devices. So not some basic IP68 rating with no strict warranty that phone won’t drown. Waterproof like Phillips shaver or GoPro.

What do you think, will Apple comply or somehow escape the regulation by making phone fully waterproof?

Considering there are rumors of their own fully glued bending folding iPhone, I doubt they will figure out fully-waterproof hinge by then.

The thing is, we are winning either way. If Apple makes phone waterproof up to 10 meters - nice, a GoPro that can make calls (under water lol). If Apple doesn’t, we will finally be able to replace batteries at home without getting them to Apple geniuses for “examinations”.

As for other devices, we will be winning too, think MacBook or iPad – both of them will have to have removable batteries, or be waterproof. I can surely imagine waterproof MacBook Air without fans, but how about Pro models? Doesn’t seem real. But might become real is the return of old good coin hatch for nice, big, blocky battery!

Nostalgic_image.jpg​

At least I hope so. Would be a bummer if their lawyers find more loopholes.

What do you think, will iPhone 19 finally become sustainable iPhone? Because their sustainability claims don’t hold any ground if user cannot replace battery

 

[now i see it]

Hundreds of million$ of iPhones have been replaced prematurely over the years simply because the battery was worn out and too much trouble to replace. So yeah - a-inc will fight this tooth and nail

 

[eyoungren]

Hundreds of million$ of iPhones have been replaced prematurely over the years simply because the battery was worn out and too much trouble to replace. So yeah - a-inc will fight this tooth and nail

I guess I'm not a part of that…

I have a 3GS, a 4, a 4s, two iPhone 5s (5 plural, not the s model), a 6+, a 6s+ and my current the 11 Pro Max.

The iPhone 5s have actually been complete replacements due to battery swelling at least three times. The third time was the last since Apple doesn't replace them or their batteries anymore.

My 6s+ had a battery replacement in November 2020 and needs a new one now. I'll probably take that to my local shop sometime later this year.

My 6+ I got in September 2023. Great deal, about $60. It just needed a new battery, which I got at my local shop because Apple wouldn't touch it.

I also have a Pixel 3a XL. Doesn't need a battery. The two phones I DO have that have swappable batteries are largely dead. A 2007 Sanyo Katana and a 2009 HTC Touch Pro. But these three phones aren't iPhones.

 

[fatlardo]

I hope they do user replaceable easily. Does EU support the same bands as USA?

 

[russell_314]

As in every other law, there are exemptions. Those exemptions can be applied to fully waterproof devices. So not some basic IP68 rating with no strict warranty that phone won’t drown. Waterproof like Phillips shaver or GoPro.

So it looks like we’re getting a waterproof iPhone. I’m OK with that. It’ll probably add to some bulk but I think that’s a fair trade off for some.

No, we’re not going to go back to the batteries that were held with a plastic cover. When you drop the phone, the battery and cover would go flying. I’m nostalgic for some things, but not that 🗑️. Apple and every other flagship smartphone maker got it right with the sealed battery

 

[rumourmonger]

Hundreds of million$ of iPhones have been replaced prematurely over the years simply because the battery was worn out and too much trouble to replace. So yeah - a-inc will fight this tooth and nail

Only reason I had upgraded from 12 Mini to 14; and only reason now I am considering jump from 14 to 16e (or back to, finally, rather a Pixel 9a or 10a, considering base iPhone is reaching/crossing 6.3 inches soon anyway).

 

[JPack]

Apple already meets this requirement with iPhone 16.

9V electrical charge debonds the battery without the need for specialized tools or glue.

 

[uacd]

Apple already meets this requirement with iPhone 16.

9V electrical charge debonds the battery without the need for specialized tools or glue.

EU still can consider it trickery tho, they will probably have to simplify design, as battery is still not easy to remove. It uses adhesive that is simply heated with the said charge, and thus it is more of a “banned” territory”.
Probably they will have to find out another way to hold battery in place. There are numerous ways actually. As well as the batteries are kinda finicky currently, they can be easily damaged and have no expansion clearance, so each time battery bloats (which is not something out of place), it has the potential of breaking internal components. And according to directive, they would have to figure that out too as new designs must not break components when they pillow (display, motherboard, back glass which can be quite expensive etc)

 

[kitKAC]

Only reason I had upgraded from 12 Mini to 14; and only reason now I am considering jump from 14 to 16e (or back to, finally, rather a Pixel 9a or 10a, considering base iPhone is reaching/crossing 6.3 inches soon anyway).

Why aren't you considering getting a battery replacement from Apple?

 

[Happy_John]

As we all know, by 18/03/2027, under the new EU’s Battery Regulation, most portable devices must have removable and user-replaceable batteries, and should be possible to detach only with commercially available tools, without special or proprietary tools, heat guns, glue, solvents or any other trash. Finally, it might become day that will change consumer rights worldwide, forever.

I wonder, how is Apple feeling about that? Do you think they have already come up with any ideas about that?

As in every other law, there are exemptions. Those exemptions can be applied to fully waterproof devices. So not some basic IP68 rating with no strict warranty that phone won’t drown. Waterproof like Phillips shaver or GoPro.

What do you think, will Apple comply or somehow escape the regulation by making phone fully waterproof?

Considering there are rumors of their own fully glued bending folding iPhone, I doubt they will figure out fully-waterproof hinge by then.

The thing is, we are winning either way. If Apple makes phone waterproof up to 10 meters - nice, a GoPro that can make calls (under water lol). If Apple doesn’t, we will finally be able to replace batteries at home without getting them to Apple geniuses for “examinations”.

As for other devices, we will be winning too, think MacBook or iPad – both of them will have to have removable batteries, or be waterproof. I can surely imagine waterproof MacBook Air without fans, but how about Pro models? Doesn’t seem real. But might become real is the return of old good coin hatch for nice, big, blocky battery!

View attachment 2540471

Nostalgic_image.jpg​

At least I hope so. Would be a bummer if their lawyers find more loopholes.

What do you think, will iPhone 19 finally become sustainable iPhone? Because their sustainability claims don’t hold any ground if user cannot replace battery

Not that I think it is a good thing, but I'd guess Apple will claim that the iPhones they currently sell already match the requirement: Apple will sell batteries and will rent users the tools to change the batteries themselves ( that it isn't cheaper than paying an Apple Authorized Tech to replace your battery isn't part of the requirement), and they can also use the argument that, if you go on Amazon or other shopping portals, there is already a wide range of third party tools and replacement batteries commercially available to consumers.

By Apple's logic, adhesive might not be "self-repair friendly", but adhesive strips are "self-repair friendly".

So I don't think we're going to see much change.

 

[Jackbequickly]

What will the U.K. demand next?

 

[kitKAC]

What will the U.K. demand next?

The UK left the EU in 2020.

 

[Jackbequickly]

The UK left the EU in 2020.

Sorry, my error. EU. 🥸

 

[AlixSPQR]

Hundreds of million$ of iPhones have been replaced prematurely over the years simply because the battery was worn out and too much trouble to replace. So yeah - a-inc will fight this tooth and nail

How do we know that? Are there statistics?

 

[Reverend Benny]

Lets say there will be user replaceable batteries like in the good old days or the Mac example above. Will that enable manufacturers to produce batteries or batteriypacks using batteries with lower quality since they can be replaced easily? Will be see cheapo 3rd party batteries being used?
Seems like the quality of the battery solutions that today's premium devices has are pretty good and do last for quite some time, maybe its cuz they are a bit trickier to replace that they are designed to last longer?

I do like that EU pushed for change but not so sure this is the change I want. Would rather see them push for security updates for much longer than what we have today so devices can be used for longer.

 

[uacd]

Lets say there will be user replaceable batteries like in the good old days or the Mac example above. Will that enable manufacturers to produce batteries or batteriypacks using batteries with lower quality since they can be replaced easily? Will be see cheapo 3rd party batteries being used?
Seems like the quality of the battery solutions that today's premium devices has are pretty good and do last for quite some time, maybe its cuz they are a bit trickier to replace that they are designed to last longer?

I do like that EU pushed for change but not so sure this is the change I want. Would rather see them push for security updates for much longer than what we have today so devices can be used for longer.

The reason they can’t play these games is because of competition. As soon as Apple starts cutting on battery quality even more, competitors will flood the market with their “super high power battery phones” and mockery ads, and customer will switch to whatever option is better.

As for user-replaceable batteries, they definitely won’t be worse quality if done properly. For example camera manufacturers (Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, GoPro) sell batteries and battery packs by the billions and they rarely have quality issues like bloating. But user-replaceable batteries might be larger in size due to better enclosures

 

[Reverend Benny]

The reason they can’t play these games is because of competition. As soon as Apple starts cutting on battery quality even more, competitors will flood the market with their “super high power battery phones” and mockery ads, and customer will switch to whatever option is better.

As for user-replaceable batteries, they definitely won’t be worse quality if done properly. For example camera manufacturers (Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, GoPro) sell batteries and battery packs by the billions and they rarely have quality issues like bloating. But user-replaceable batteries might be larger in size due to better enclosures

I think that its getting harder and harder for 3rd parties to produce batteries these days, and personally I think its a good thing. When buying a used device most want to have authentic parts in the device.

If they could make a user replaceable solution without a need to get "into" the device and that it doesn't affect the design to much, then I'm absolutely for that.
At the same time I think Apples offer today to swap batteries aren't to bad, but they could prob shave a few euros of todays price and still make money from it.

 

[subjonas]

As we all know, by 18/03/2027, under the new EU’s Battery Regulation, most portable devices must have removable and user-replaceable batteries, and should be possible to detach only with commercially available tools, without special or proprietary tools, heat guns, glue, solvents or any other trash. Finally, it might become day that will change consumer rights worldwide, forever.

I wonder, how is Apple feeling about that? Do you think they have already come up with any ideas about that?

As in every other law, there are exemptions. Those exemptions can be applied to fully waterproof devices. So not some basic IP68 rating with no strict warranty that phone won’t drown. Waterproof like Phillips shaver or GoPro.

What do you think, will Apple comply or somehow escape the regulation by making phone fully waterproof?

Considering there are rumors of their own fully glued bending folding iPhone, I doubt they will figure out fully-waterproof hinge by then.

The thing is, we are winning either way. If Apple makes phone waterproof up to 10 meters - nice, a GoPro that can make calls (under water lol). If Apple doesn’t, we will finally be able to replace batteries at home without getting them to Apple geniuses for “examinations”.

As for other devices, we will be winning too, think MacBook or iPad – both of them will have to have removable batteries, or be waterproof. I can surely imagine waterproof MacBook Air without fans, but how about Pro models? Doesn’t seem real. But might become real is the return of old good coin hatch for nice, big, blocky battery!

View attachment 2540471

Nostalgic_image.jpg​

At least I hope so. Would be a bummer if their lawyers find more loopholes.

What do you think, will iPhone 19 finally become sustainable iPhone? Because their sustainability claims don’t hold any ground if user cannot replace battery

I just want to emphasize that I think the only reason this might be good regulation is for environmental reasons, not to save customers money since some people applaud it for that reason. I'm not against saving money, but that's not what regulation should be for. Creating fair value is what the free market and competition is for, as that is the most natural, unbiased, and effective way to create fairness (fair for both the consumer and the vendor). Regulation always alters the natural balance of the free market, so it should only be used when necessary--and in my opinion that would be to ensure that the free market is operating as intended (no one is breaking the rules), and for critical things that the free market isn't effective at--things like addressing subtle but critical environmental issues and making sure people are taken care of at a basic level (like getting insulin, not getting the feature they want in an iPhone). Customers drive the free market, and the reason the free market is bad at taking care of environmental issues is because not enough customers are knowledgeable and/or care about the environment. But customers care about money and value, which is why vendors have to compete in those areas.

All that said, I think user replaceable batteries could be needed. But there are a lot of factors, so I'd need to see actual numbers of the impact of non-user replaceable iPhones on the environment.

 

[subjonas]

Would rather see them push for security updates for much longer than what we have today so devices can be used for longer.

In my experience, it was losing 3rd party app support that rendered my older Apple devices unusable.

 

[Moreplease]

I’ve replaced the battery in all of my iPhones (twice in one of them). I found it necessary.

’Course I keep my phones longer than a year or two, for many reasons.

 

[JPack]

EU still can consider it trickery tho, they will probably have to simplify design, as battery is still not easy to remove. It uses adhesive that is simply heated with the said charge, and thus it is more of a “banned” territory”.

It's chemical science and there is no heat involved. Applying 9V basically results in a controlled corrosion process and the iPhone battery drops out.

This type of adhesive can be used around the perimeter of the chassis, so heat is no longer required to remove the back glass.

The EU Battery Regulation considers a battery to be "readily removable by the end-user" if it can be taken out using commercially available tools. Pentalobe screwdrivers and a 9V battery connector are commercially available.

iPhone 16 has a removable back glass held in place by tabs and adhesive gasket. If a battery swells, it will pop the rear glass. Apple can replace the perimeter adhesive with the "debond-on-demand" already used by the battery to completely eliminate the use of heat.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Hundreds of million$ of iPhones have been replaced prematurely over the years simply because the battery was worn out and too much trouble to replace. So yeah - a-inc will fight this tooth and nail

If people can't be bothered to pay $79 for Apple to swap the battery in a few minutes, why would they go through all the steps necessary to order and swap the battery themselves?

 

[hovscorpion12]

The EU's rule will have no headway. I don't see any manufacture supporting the EU's rule. if anything the EU will be abandoned.

I dont see Samsung releasing a Z Fold giving buyers the ability to replace the battery which is beyond complicated internally. Let alone Apple.

IP67 or IP68, which mean they can withstand immersion in water for specific durations and depths is already considered full waterproof. if anything they will upgrade to IP69K -"High-pressure, high-temperature wash-down protection"

 

[williamofockham]

the more interesting question could be : is more market fragmentation in the future with europhones manufactured in say India available only in eu markets with an eu compliant operating system ? the economics of this could get interesting

 

[Reverend Benny]

In my experience, it was losing 3rd party app support that rendered my older Apple devices unusable.

Yes, some app-makers drop support for devices that don't get any security updates. From what I have seen so far Apple usually provides support for -1 release (so for now iOS 17) and in very rare cases even older versions.
Would have been great to se a law that states that connected devices (smartphones, cars, computers, watches etc) has to receive OS updates for at least 10 years and an additional 10 years on top of that for security patches.