Leaked Documents Suggest Apple Could Be Forced to Build iPhones With User-Removable Batteries in Europe

[imagladry]

Lets hope in Europe, Apple will be forced to place floppy disk into iphones and ipads

Well, why not since it is possible to mount 5 1/4 floppies on an Apple Watch.

Of course you can use a 5.25-inch floppy disk with your Apple Watch! — Apple World Today

We’ve been sharing some of the video antics of Niles Mitchell recently. Now Niles has some great old Apple equipment, and his videos show how he connects various new devices like iPhones to really old gear. In today’s video, Niles uses his DaynaFile with a 360K 5.25-inch floppy disk to send files to

www.appleworld.today

 

[Jim Lahey]

UK left because they wanted to be able control immigration.

Yes. That was definitely Brexit. No other factors at all 🤔 /s

 

[hans1972]

Side note: This design would be very easy to waterproof.

So why did not LG to that?

Also would a 4000 mAh battery take less or more physical space if it its need to water resistant?

 

[minimo3]

Why haven’t they mandated that all electric cars use the same cable and have user replaceable batteries? Hint: because it would impact their domestic manufacturers. They will pass laws as long as it only impacts foreign companies.

 

[RecentlyConverted]

Where does it end with governments telling tech companies how to make their products and services?

Yes, because in some ways it is good. Mains electronic products now have to have a power switch and low power standby (less than 0.5w, previous devices often used nearly the same in standby as on) - good The power saving has saved consumers €25billion per year and saved 39Mt of CO2 emissions.

The change to lead free solder was a bit of a disaster as many devices failed due to poor solder joints, so possibly in this case the environmental impact was higher than the initial saving to the environment of reducing lead in manufacture. Manufacturers seem to have resolved this issue now.

 

[ZMacintosh]

Fantastic. This would be a great help with making sure that phones are able to be used longer, and in turn reducing e-waste.

reducing ewaste? how so...when there will be more manufactures creating batteries sitting on shelves and when a new phone model comes out those extra components will be pretty useless.

 

[deeddawg]

Yes. That was definitely Brexit. No other factors at all 🤔 /s

Yup. UK sovereignty and payments to EU weren't at all important to anyone.

People’s Stated Reasons for Voting Leave or Remain – CSI Nuffield

 

[Magrep]

To have a captive consumer is a dream come true for the companies income stream. It is all about profits that are extracted from the consumer, whether they want to allow themselves to be the income source or not.

 

[2013.1]

Hey European Union! Force Tesla too 🤪🤣

 

[TGM85]

If such a law were to come to pass, which I highly doubt would happen, it's far more likely Apple and Samsung and other phone makers would create separate EU-specific models. Perhaps sharing the same innards, but with a different housing -- and most likely a higher price to account for the additional production line equipment.

Spot on. The EU regulation or directive probably wouldn't contain a provision preventing the manufacturers from increasing the price to account for the redesign.

 

[avatar77]

I remember when smartphones were plastic, could be dropped without the back shattering, and you could swap batteries. Oh, that was 4 years ago. Glass-back phones are nice to look at and that's where it ends. Give me high quality plastics and a replaceable battery, please.

If you think that Apple can't provide those features in a phone that is still durable and waterproof, you think a lot less of their engineers than I do.

 

[Kabeyun]

Thank you EU. You have the reverse Midas touch. Everything you deal with turns to crap.

 

[trainwrecka]

How is this a bad thing?

People have a choice between phones with or without removable batteries, they just don't have a choice with Apple products. If enough people leave Apple due to this, then Apple would change course. This is Economics 101. We do not need the government to get involved.

My last 3 iPhones were all over 3 years old when replaced and the battery was still fine. I've had two Androids with removable batteries - I never needed to swap batteries.

Again, if this was a major issue for people, Apple would address it.
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I remember when smartphones were plastic, could be dropped without the back shattering, and you could swap batteries. Oh, that was 4 years ago. Glass-back phones are nice to look at and that's where it ends. Give me high quality plastics and a replaceable battery, please.

If you think that Apple can't provide those features in a phone that is still durable and waterproof, you think a lot less of their engineers than I do.

The iPhone 3G is still my favorite build of iPhone. It just fit so nicely in the hand with the curved back. That said, the front screen shattered when dropped on the corner. There really isn't an escape of glass damage without a case.

 

[Remy149]

I remember when smartphones were plastic, could be dropped without the back shattering, and you could swap batteries. Oh, that was 4 years ago. Glass-back phones are nice to look at and that's where it ends. Give me high quality plastics and a replaceable battery, please.

If you think that Apple can't provide those features in a phone that is still durable and waterproof, you think a lot less of their engineers than I do.

I haven’t had a phone with a rear plastic door to swap batteries in over a decade. In fact my least favorite iPhone was the iPhone 3GS with the awful plastic back

 

[Mr. Awesome]

I have never seen a MacRumors thread with this many likes and dislikes. People are very heated about this topic.

 

[1345873]

The EU is going to end up with iPhones that are:
- fat, ugly
- no water resistance
- no ports

are you talking about my Nokia 3310? Now about 19 year of age, it did survive every situation I put in (and yes, even my toilet..twice) I’ve changed the keyboard three times, the battery more often but still works. It runs for about 10-14 days on a single charge which takes about 1 hour. Officially not water resistant but remember my toilet? It survived numerous drops from you never believe the heights. It has coverage where every other easy to break, hardly repairable, still not -despite promises- waterproof, forced to use Apple (#@&$) services (remember mobile me?)

and yes it is fat and ugly, but.. it.. just.. works..!

 

[kingax1]

And the power bank battery is also not replaceable... so, adding to the waste.

Well the next logical step is to mandate powerbanks have user replaceable batteries. Or add a battery standard and have them all the same for all devices, phones and power banks to reduce waste. I guess they would say it will save the dolphins or something.

 

[trainwrecka]

Would rather have a headphone jack.

I do miss it. I have AirPods, but I still constantly have to find the adapter when they go dead or the sound device doesn't require Bluetooth.

 

[jz0309]

politicians and bureaucrats should not have any say in technology development ...
if batteries had a lifetime of 6 months or a year, this might make sense, but at 3-4+ years, money would be better spend on battery development ... and consumer education on recycling, and making sure that companies actually do recycle and re-use ...

 

[Steve63]

Hi. I'm from the government. I'm here to help you.

Good ol' Ronny was not wrong with this ....

 

[kingax1]

I remember when smartphones were plastic, could be dropped without the back shattering, and you could swap batteries. Oh, that was 4 years ago. Glass-back phones are nice to look at and that's where it ends. Give me high quality plastics and a replaceable battery, please.

If you think that Apple can't provide those features in a phone that is still durable and waterproof, you think a lot less of their engineers than I do.

You can still get these types of phones you are looking for. It sounds like iphone isnt for you, and for that just dont worry about getting an iphone and problem solved.

 

[Pearple]

Fine. Computer RAM and SSD next, please!!!

 

[kingax1]

To have a captive consumer is a dream come true for the companies income stream. It is all about profits that are extracted from the consumer, whether they want to allow themselves to be the income source or not.

And if it wasnt for that, there would be no incentives to have awesome shyt available to us and invest in innovattoion make the next best thing we all want.

 

[nitramluap]

Ugh... you can already replace the battery unofficially yourself. The reason is very clear - you’re probably going to render it’s watertight seal useless. Next thing people will be complaining that their ‘self repaired’ iPhones don’t work properly, leak, have dust in the screen, etc. etc. and will blame Apple.

Honestly, if this is such a huge deal for your conscience, don’t buy a smart phone. Use a paper & pencil.

 

[jhfenton]

What the heck are people doing with their phones that they feel they need water proofing rated at 30 minutes in a glass of water? Maybe don't browse the internet while using the toilet

Have you ever run 22 miles in a downpour with your phone in a pocket or belt pouch? I have. That's not 30 minutes submerged, but it is 2+ hours exposed to water.

I don't usually carry my phone on short runs--that's why I have an Apple Watch and AirPods--but on a long run in questionable weather, I am absolutely carrying my phone. Before waterproofing came to the iPhone, I had to bundle the phone in a Ziploc bag and hope it didn't come open.