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

[IJustWannaTalk]

A user replaceable battery is only an engineering solution away. It can be done whilst maintaining IP68 integrity, it’s just manufacturers don’t want to because they’d rather customers buy a whole new device and contribute to the ewaste mountain.

Something simple like a bottom plate that unscrews allowing the battery to slide out wouldn’t be too hard.

What is your assumption based on?
What happens when people strip or lose the screws?
How can you maintain waterproofing with removable covers?

 

[klasma]

You want Apple to offer up rechargeable triple A batteries that last a week and add a ton of weight?

You're kidding with this, right?

I just wish it was possible, like it was possible 25 years ago with the Palm PDAs who ran for weeks on a pair of AAA batteries, and you never had to worry about built-in batteries degrading over time. Unfortunately, technical evolution also comes with certain kinds of regressions.

The weight isn't the problem, AAA batteries only weigh around 11.5 grams. The problem is you'd need 8–10 of them just to match the capacity of a present-day iPhone battery.

Another example is the Sony MZ-E909 MiniDisc player I owned, which in addition to its built-in rechargable battery, also allowed adding an AA battery for around 100 hours of playback. It had about the same volume as an iPhone mini, at only 76 grams including the AA battery. Granted, the iPhone Pro Max reaches similar audio playback times, but at triple the weight and without an easily replacable battery.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

I just wish it was possible, like it was possible 25 years ago with the Palm PDAs who ran for weeks on a pair of AAA batteries, and you never had to worry about built-in batteries degrading over time. Unfortunately, technical evolution also comes with certain kinds of regressions.

The weight isn't the problem, AAA batteries only weigh around 11.5 grams. The problem is you'd need 8–10 of them just to match the capacity of a present-day iPhone battery.

Another example is the Sony MZ-E909 MiniDisc player I owned, which in addition to its built-in rechargable battery, also allowed adding an AA battery for around 100 hours of playback. It had about the same volume as an iPhone mini, at only 76 grams including the AA battery. Granted, the iPhone Pro Max reaches similar audio playback times, but at triple the weight and without an easily replacable battery.

Both of those items you mentioned are VASTLY less capable than even the oldest iPhone.

We all wish it was possible, but science sorta tells us it isn't.
Unless we want to trade our iPhone for Palm Pilots, that is.

Which...given the state of social media and the internet in general, might not be the WORST decision.

 

[klasma]

Both of those items you mentioned are VASTLY less capable than even the oldest iPhone.

Of course, but they are worse in that specific respect. I like imagining what could be. It puts what we have in perspective.

 

[wyliej]

What is your assumption based on?
What happens when people strip or lose the screws?
How can you maintain waterproofing with removable covers?

Samsung has done it. IP68 with swappable batteries and no screws. Apple could do it, too, if they tried.

 

[Ctrlos]

What is your assumption based on?
What happens when people strip or lose the screws?
How can you maintain waterproofing with removable covers?

Samsung and Fairphone both sell ingress-protected handsets with removable batteries. If a shoestring company like fairphone can do it then imagine what a company with infinite R&D like Apple can come up with.