Friday, June 16th 2023

EU Approves New Regulation for Smartphone Batteries - Must be User-Replaceable by 2027

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T0@st
 Discuss (125 Comments)
The European Parliament has greenlit new rules relating to battery technologies that are likely to cause headaches for smartphone manufacturers (in particular). The organization published their summary of this environmentally conscious and sustainable strategy on June 14: "Parliament approved new rules for the design (on Wednesday), production and waste management of all types of batteries (including non-replaceable types) sold in the EU. With 587 votes in favor, nine against and 20 abstentions, MEPs endorsed a deal reached with the Council to overhaul EU rules on batteries and waste batteries. The new law takes into account technological developments and future challenges in the sector and will cover the entire battery life cycle, from design to end-of-life."

The section for portable device batteries (for smartphones, tablets and cameras) outlines new consumer rights, with a demand for easily removable and replaceable (DIY) cells. Smartphone manufacturers including market leaders Apple and Samsung will have to go back to the drawing board and figure out ways to reformat how their batteries are mounted and connected internally. Plenty of devices have their units sealed behind protective layers, requiring specialist tools and varying levels of user expertise to access and remove in a safe manner. The European Council has more work to do following their starter announcement: "(We) will now have to formally endorse the text before its publication in the EU Official Journal shortly after and its entry into force." News outlets have interpreted that these provisional rulings will go into effect by early 2027, but they also anticipate that big time players could appeal for extensions beyond that window.
Sources: Android Police, PC Magazine UK, European Parliament

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125 Comments on EU Approves New Regulation for Smartphone Batteries - Must be User-Replaceable by 2027

#26
Battler624
N3utroThis is actually pointless. Phones are designed to have a 5 years lifespan at best (apple) and 3 years for others. After this there is no more software support = not suiteable for everyday use anymore.

Batteries in phones are also designed to last this long so you dont need to change them.

Sure you can have modified alternatives os after your phone is no longer supported but all these os lack proprietary security drivers which makes TPM and cryptographic security unusable = a lot of important functions of your phone wont work anymore, especially things related to banking apps.

If the EU wants to extend the life of mobile phones they should force manufacturers to extend the duration of the support on them in the first place.
Has apple released a phone that it supported for less than 5 years?
Also depending on usage your phone battery might get degraded fast, I am at 90% after 1.5 years, i've seen a friend at 88% after a year. if said person wants to keep the phone for more than 3 years, i'd definitely consider it.
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#27
Jun
200% support user replaceable battery. No more worrying about wearing the battery and just use the phone that you bought to the fullest.
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#28
Chaitanya
tvshackerI agree that this is a good idea "in general", however I believe an exception(s) could/should be made for example the phones that have IP67 (or above), in this case it's a compromise to enable a "useful" feature instead of "just because" or to make repair dificult without an added benefit.
Funny how my Garmin GPS, Torches, and headlamps all have waterproofing of varying degree(IP67 and IP68) while all have user replaceble batteries so keep parroting that lie from manufacturers.
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#29
Dyatlov A
it is also the few good regulations that the EU will bring us. Very difficult now to change a battery in Iphone and impossible to buy a good or original battery.
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#30
Kohl Baas
ChaitanyaFunny how my Garmin GPS, Torches, and headlamps all have waterproofing of varying degree(IP67 and IP68) while all have user replaceble batteries so keep parroting that lie from manufacturers.
Not that we wouldn't had literally sh!ttons of indestructible IP6x phones before this paper thin smartphone craze. It is very much doable, you just have to sacrifice some of that -nowdays ridiculous- thinness. Not to mention that most cellphone deaths are shattering from drop, not spilled liquid.
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#31
Chaitanya
Kohl BaasNot that we wouldn't had literally sh!ttons of indestructible IP6x phones before this paper thin smartphone craze. It is very much doable, you just have to sacrifice some of that -nowdays ridiculous- thinness. Not to mention that most cellphone deaths are shattering from drop, not spilled liquid.
If I remember correctly Galaxy S7 or S8 had waterproof rating while having user replacable battery and it wasnt a rugged phone. So its possible to make thin waterproof phone while having IP rating. Ever increasing size of phone along with slippery glass panels(on rear) has made phones more prone to breaking due to drops. At this point I would really like to see a half decent Android phone at 5.2" or smaller screen size.
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#32
kondamin
Kohl BaasNot that we wouldn't had literally sh!ttons of indestructible IP6x phones before this paper thin smartphone craze. It is very much doable, you just have to sacrifice some of that -nowdays ridiculous- thinness. Not to mention that most cellphone deaths are shattering from drop, not spilled liquid.
Thin phones are over, 22-23 models have a couple of mm on their older counterparts.

User replaceable batteries would be a good first step.
having them open up the boot loader and drivers the moment they stop sup he device would be a good second step.
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#33
Jism
N3utroThis is actually pointless. Phones are designed to have a 5 years lifespan at best (apple) and 3 years for others. After this there is no more software support = not suiteable for everyday use anymore.

Batteries in phones are also designed to last this long so you dont need to change them.

Sure you can have modified alternatives os after your phone is no longer supported but all these os lack proprietary security drivers which makes TPM and cryptographic security unusable = a lot of important functions of your phone wont work anymore, especially things related to banking apps.

If the EU wants to extend the life of mobile phones they should force manufacturers to extend the duration of the support on them in the first place.
I'd say the best lifespan is out of the battery after a year of usage. The percentage calculator does'nt mean nothing if you would use it for the same amount on a daily basis.

Point being is by locking a battery in, as in you can't fix it or you have to take it to a apple store, your paying way more for the repair then you should if the device was more easier to repair yourself.

Phone's do get (extended) support even after 5 years (iOS security updates) and honestly i just had my Iphone 7 Plus fixed with a new screen, battery and charging port. All costed 150 euro's but at least the device is good now for another 3 to 5 years as a backup phone.
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#34
remunramu
User replaceable. Are we going to go back to old phone pre 2010 era? removable back cover? No more ip68 rating sad. Tbh I don't mind having sealed battery as long as they're easily replaced.
Easy access from back door and no genuine notification bullshit just because you didn't replace it at authorized dealers. Some phone require you to open it from the front and risked to damaged the screen which is stupid.
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#35
Unregistered
OperandiPretty amazing news. The US is always lagging behind on stuff like this but if this is actually enforceable (sounds like it is) it should help things everywhere hopefully.
Because the US government is more keen to satisfy big companies.
This a great news and one of the few true ecological moves unlike the stupid removal of chargers, phones are powerful enough to be kept for a long time, or given to relatives, friends or for children as a first phone.
#36
80-watt Hamster
Xex360Because the US government is more keen to satisfy big companies.
There's some of that, but it's mostly that our legislative process is slow, and Congress is basically evenly split between two parties that can't agree on basically anything. Also the scope of Federal power, while broad, is not as broad as is generally believed.
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#37
Yraggul666
Finally! I've been waiting for this for donkey's years.
I would love to have a live stream of the Apple's leadership meetings.
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#38
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
ChaitanyaIf I remember correctly Galaxy S7 or S8 had waterproof rating while having user replacable battery and it wasnt a rugged phone. So its possible to make thin waterproof phone while having IP rating. Ever increasing size of phone along with slippery glass panels(on rear) has made phones more prone to breaking due to drops. At this point I would really like to see a half decent Android phone at 5.2" or smaller screen size.
The S5 was Samsungs Last End User Replaceable battery phone. The S7s were the ones having thermal runaway, they were sealed up
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#39
Suspenders
Seriously, anything that helps keep phones out of landfills for longer is a good thing. The easiest way to reduce how much waste we produce, as well as the environmental impact of our societies is to extend the useful life of products, and that means being able to repair and replace components as they age or fail. I've had friends of mine toss phones because the battery life starts to suck; think of what a huge waste of resources this is, when a few more years could have been had out of the device if it had an easily replaceable battery. If we don't make these gizmos of ours last longer (and most consumer products in general actually), then this problem will just keep getting worse: "The WEEE Forum (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Forum), an international not-for-profit, estimates that more than 5 billion mobile phones will be thrown away this year alone. If these phones were piled on top of each other, the stack would be 50,000 km high – one-eighth of the way to the Moon."
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#40
lexluthermiester
Space LynxApple is going to be fucking pissed, lmao
Yes. Yes they are. Hopefully, that will pull their heads from their bums and just decide to go fully right-to-repair world-wide and make things simple for themselves. But it's Apple, so a smart decision isn't something we should hold our breath on..
Nostrasand it's not as if a phone is (effectively) unusable if the battery is dead.
Um, yes it is. MOST phones and tablets will not power up without a working battery. It's a purely stupid design, but it's reality.
DenverI don't see anything positive in extremely thin devices.
Me neither.
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#41
Chaitanya
eidairaman1The S5 was Samsungs Last End User Replaceable battery phone. The S7s were the ones having thermal runaway, they were sealed up
Thanks for correcting, S5 was indeed IP67 rated while having user replaceble battery.
Posted on Reply
#42
lexluthermiester
chrcolukLow end android phones yes.
No, many upper tier Android phones have them as well.
dgianstefaniNotebook batteries are generally replaceable, they may require partial disassembly, but most of the time they're just slotted or screwed in as a separate unit.
Many companies have been gluing the batteries down for quite a few years, making replacing them VERY challenging.
Posted on Reply
#43
Xajel
r/watchappledieinside

r/watchsmartphonemakersdieinside
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#44
FierceRed
Battler624Has apple released a phone that it supported for less than 5 years?
Also depending on usage your phone battery might get degraded fast, I am at 90% after 1.5 years, i've seen a friend at 88% after a year. if said person wants to keep the phone for more than 3 years, i'd definitely consider it.
I have an honest question as I've never used an iPhone as a daily driver/a significant length of time.

Do iPhones have the software toggle setting that restricts the max charge the battery will allow to ~80%/85%?
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#45
Wirko
lexluthermiesterMany companies have been gluing the batteries down for quite a few years, making replacing them VERY challenging.
I checked a few notebook teardowns at iFixit and came back positively surprised. However, most of what they take apart are business notebooks, light but not very thin at around 18 mm. And sometimes they do it to a Macbook ("Glue and/or rivets secure the keyboard, battery, speakers, and Touch Bar") or a Surface, just to achieve a comical effect.
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#46
Icon Charlie
NostrasI strongly disagree with this statement.
Phone manufacturers don't need / have to provide support for so long because the devices start to become unusable until the battery is replaced.
Iphones are a bit of a odd case out, because they retain their value so well it makes a lot more sense to pay the (high) fee to replace the battery than for, e.g., a Samsung device.
TL;DR Chicken egg

And aside from that, custom ROMS still exist and it's not as if a phone is (effectively) unusable if the battery is dead.
A not so small amount don't give a rats ass about upgrades, but if their more technically inclined family member can replace a battery that's one phone that'll last longer.
Unless they drop it. Sigh. :toast:
I agree with this comment. As stated before my phone is over 6 years old and it is in great shape. It's a phone. Not an entertainment device.
And that is the problem with the sheeple in the Cult of Apple. o_O Take it away from them and watch them convulse. Heh heh heh.

My battery is still holding strong and I'm glad I can replace it still.
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#47
Gargf
N3utroThis is actually pointless. Phones are designed to have a 5 years lifespan at best (apple) and 3 years for others. After this there is no more software support = not suiteable for everyday use anymore.
My 7 years old android tablet and my 5 years android phone are perfectly functional.
Maybe you should stop spreading lies about planned obsolescence.
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#48
AusWolf
This is amazing news!

There is no need to replace one's phone these days except when the battery dies, which is annoying. I've missed the days of replaceable batteries ever since phones started to come in their current format.
N3utroThis is actually pointless. Phones are designed to have a 5 years lifespan at best (apple) and 3 years for others. After this there is no more software support = not suiteable for everyday use anymore.
Why would they not be suitable? Who said you had to update your phone's software in order for it to be usable?
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#49
nageme
Nice.
TahagomizerI hope EU follows the punch with banning any device with sealed battery.
I don't think it should be that extreme. Maybe mandate a maximum volume of units with unremovable, or a minimum with removable. At least at first see what the markets want, then think next.
Xex360unlike the stupid removal of chargers
Why? I liked that idea too. Too many unneeded chargers foisted on people, and it's easy to buy a charger separately.
Offer bundles to those who want both (or headphones).
ChaitanyaAt this point I would really like to see a half decent Android phone at 5.2" or smaller screen size.
Baby steps. First removable batteries, then, maybe smaller (and thicker) phones? :)
Suspendersestimates that more than 5 billion mobile phones will be thrown away this year alone. If these phones were piled on top of each other, the stack would be 50,000 km high – one-eighth of the way to the Moon.
An overestimate of the average thickness. Probably more like 8.5mm than 10. So only 42.5kkm.
But instead of stacking they could carefully balance them on the small end (top / bottom), then they'd reach the moon twice.
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#50
Suspenders
nagemeAn overestimate of the average thickness. Probably more like 8.5mm than 10. So only 42.5kkm.
But instead of stacking they could carefully balance them on the small end (top / bottom), then they'd reach the moon twice.
Good thinking there. We'll finally be able to dispose of all this e-waste in an environmentally sound manner when we reach the moon with our garbage pile :roll:
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