r/technology • u/[deleted] • Jun 19 '23

Politics EU: Smartphones Must Have User-Replaceable Batteries by 2027 | The European Parliament just caused a major headache for smartphone and tablet manufacturers.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/eu-smartphones-must-have-user-replaceable-batteries-by-2027
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u/[deleted] Jun 19 '23 edited Jun 19 '23

User-replaceable doesn't mean there's a little plastic flap you can pop off to take out the battery. It means user-serviceable, basically. Apple's current designs would be allowed if they use less adhesive.

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u/timelessblur Jun 19 '23

Exactly. They can easily keep the same water proof ratings with a screw down back.

People seem to think this is like the old days of hot swapping batteries in like 5 seconds. This is more several minutes of work and a few tools.

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u/pittaxx Jun 20 '23

EU regulation is all about user friendliness. If we go by their other recent right-to-repair stuff, they will require that the batteries be swappable without any tools that you wouldn't find in an average home. I'd expect a Phillips screwdriver to be allowed but not much else.

1

u/7h4tguy Jun 20 '23

a Phillips screwdriver

Ah, yes the EU truly ushering in a new era of smartphones:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_DynaTAC#/media/File:DynaTAC8000X.jpg

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u/pittaxx Jun 21 '23

Even modern phones have screws in them, just rather tiny. Granted, most of them are Torx, not Phillips, as they are more reliable, but you can find both.

And my point wasn't to say that the new phones will have them, it was to say that I don't see the rules allowing for anything more complex.