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Why isn't the iPhone battery disposable/removable?

-aggie-

-aggie-

macrumors P6
Original poster
Jun 19, 2009
16,793
51
Where bunnies are welcome.
I'm just wondering why Apple chose to not make the iPhone battery disposable. To make us by a new iPhone every two years? Some other reason? Reading all the concerns about batteries on here, it sure would've been nice if we could replace the battery if we needed to. Also, one could have extra batteries that they could change out with the low battery.

Thanks.
 
A few reasons:

1) It makes it possible to build a sleeker, thinner, more robust external shell.
2) People usually replace the device before the battery starts failing or capacity drops below 80% of a brand new battery.
3) There are power outlets just about everywhere you go.
4) If you need more battery life, you can extend it with external battery packs that are just as convenient as carrying a spare battery.
 
ChromeCloud said:
A few reasons:

1) It makes it possible to build a sleeker, thinner, more robust external shell.
2) People usually replace the device before the battery starts failing or capacity drops below 80% of a brand new battery.
3) There are power outlets just about everywhere you go.
4) If you need more battery life, you can extend it with external battery packs that are just as convenient as carrying a spare battery.
Click to expand...

That's all fine if the batteries for the iPhone are reliable. I assume they are?
 
I believe you can get the battery replaced. I know websites sell them, and replacing it yourself on an out-of-warranty phone isn't THAT complicated. But the extended batteries that plug into the bottom are like $20 and work well.
 
iphone.aggie said:
That's all fine if the batteries for the iPhone are reliable. I assume they are?
Click to expand...
Well, there sure is a percentage of faulty batteries, but a faulty battery is likely to fail in the first months of usage anyways, and if that happens, it's covered by the standard warranty.
 
Just to make an additional comment. Battery is not covered in the warranty, unless it's manufacturer defect.
 
CocoaPuffs said:
Just to make an additional comment. Battery is not covered in the warranty, unless it's manufacturer defect.
Click to expand...
Really? I find it hard to believe that if you go to an apple store after like 2 months of ownership and complain about the capacity being lower than 50% they won't replace your battery for free.
 
uberamd said:
I believe you can get the battery replaced. I know websites sell them, and replacing it yourself on an out-of-warranty phone isn't THAT complicated. But the extended batteries that plug into the bottom are like $20 and work well.
Click to expand...

I'm not having any problems with my battery, so I'm just asking for the future. On the extended batteries, I've seen them at Best Buy, but they cost like $40. They wouldn't work for the iPhone if they iphone battery was bad, would they? I already knew about the non-warranty way of replacing the battery, but that requires soldering, if I remember correctly.
 
CocoaPuffs said:
Just to make an additional comment. Battery is not covered in the warranty, unless it's manufacturer defect.
Click to expand...

ChromeCloud said:
Really? I find it hard to believe that if you go to an apple store after like 2 months of ownership and complain about the capacity being lower than 50% they won't replace your battery for free.
Click to expand...

That would be considered a "manufacturer's defect", just like he said.
 
iphone.aggie said:
I'm not having any problems with my battery, so I'm just asking for the future. On the extended batteries, I've seen them at Best Buy, but they cost like $40. They wouldn't work for the iPhone if they iphone battery was bad, would they? I already knew about the non-warranty way of replacing the battery, but that requires soldering, if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...
I'd say that replacing the battery on your own is something you should attempt only if you have past experience with disassembling electronic stuff.
 
CocoaPuffs said:
Perhaps the terms have changed, or my memory have faded.

http://www.apple.com/batteries/replacements.html
Click to expand...
Sorry I didn't catch the meaning of manufacturer defect. I was thinking about Apple actually checking with the battery supplier to confirm the battery was from a bad batch or something like that.

"Your one-year warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. You can extend your coverage to two years from the date of your iPhone purchase with the AppleCare Protection Plan for iPhone. During the plan’s coverage period, Apple will replace the battery if it drops below 50% of its original capacity. If it is out of warranty, Apple offers a battery replacement for $79, plus $6.95 shipping, subject to local tax. Apple disposes of your battery in an environmentally friendly manner."

Anyways, it's not clear if they will replace it if it goes below 50% capacity within 1 year from the purchase with standard warranty only. But I suppose they will definitely replace it if you go and complain about it.
 
iphone.aggie said:
I'm not having any problems with my battery, so I'm just asking for the future. On the extended batteries, I've seen them at Best Buy, but they cost like $40. They wouldn't work for the iPhone if they iphone battery was bad, would they? I already knew about the non-warranty way of replacing the battery, but that requires soldering, if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...

Soldering? No, it is glued to the back of the iPhone case, they just pull off and you can put a new one in. Nothing complicated about that, but opening your iPhone can be dangerous. Once its open, removing a few screws gives you access.

And for $15 you can get this one: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10831&cs_id=1083105&p_id=5480&seq=1&format=2

I have it, works great.
 
iphone.aggie said:
Anyone know if an external battery will work if the iPhone battery totally stops holding a charge?
Click to expand...

Does it work when its plugged in? If so, yes, as the iPhone just sees the external battery as a wall power adapter (aka it thinks its plugged into the wall).
 
I am curious about the amount of 'energy' that a full 100% charged 3GS has requires how many AAA batteries (quality ones like Duracell or Energizer) to equal that amount. Anyone knows or can guess?
 
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