All smartphones, including iPhones, must have replaceable batteries by 2027 in the EU

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
B

borosp1

Senior member
Apr 12, 2003
490
451
136
Hopefully this will be adopted in the U.S. as well by 2027. Seems like EU has better tech privacy laws than US does and now their leading the way with requiring all cell phones to have replaceable batteries instead of forcing you to upgrade every couple years because your battery dies.

EU is also forcing Apple to ditch their lightning connector on their iPhone devices and use android et al style USB-C connectors by the end of 2024.. iPhone 15 should have USB-C but it's possible Apple goes USB-C for Europe only and sticks us and the rest of the world outside the EU with the proprietary lightning connector.

All smartphones, including iPhones, must have replaceable batteries by 2027 in the EU

The European Union is officially(opens in a new tab) requiring all smartphones to have replaceable batteries by 2027.

This week, the European Council adopted the regulation designed to reduce waste and break up monopolistic practices from tech companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google that make it difficult to replace parts without having to buy a brand new phone.

This is a big win for the right-to-repair movement. While it only applies to the EU, the regulation has global ramifications, since it wouldn't make sense to make two different smartphones — one for Europe, one for everywhere else. Regulation will likely impact the global market, changing the design of smartphones for all users. The EU passed a regulation 2022, requiring iPhones to have a USB-C port, which will have a similar global effect.

Smartphones must be "removable and replaceable by the end-user," meaning it must be easy to replace a battery without any kind of technical expertise. Manufacturers have until 2027 to adapt the design of their smartphones in order to comply with the EU law. The regulation applies to all batteries, including those in EVs and e-bikes, in the hopes of creating a "circular economy" where waste batteries can be recycled and reused to power electronics.

The regulation includes requirements for smartphone manufacturers to collect 50 percent of lithium from waste batteries by 2027 and ramps up to 80 percent by 2031. Manufacturers will also be required to label batteries with its internal components, amount of recycled material, and a QR code. So within five years, you'll finally be able to replace your battery, hassle free.
Click to expand...

mashable.com

All smartphones, including iPhones, must have replaceable batteries by 2027 in the EU

The decision could have a global impact.
mashable.com mashable.com
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Pohemi, soulcougher73, Roger Wilco and 2 others
Brainonska511

Brainonska511

Lifer
Dec 10, 2005
27,464
11,768
136
spacejamz said:
Wonder how this will affect the IP ratings of these phones?
Click to expand...
Could always treat it like watches: rated until you replace the battery.

Plus, headphone jacks and whatnot never compromised such ratings. I'm sure they could find some way.
 
MomentsofSanity

MomentsofSanity

Lifer
Jan 25, 2011
16,942
9,344
146
  • Like
Reactions: Drach
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,693
6,133
136
While this seems a sensible idea, I don't think it matters in the real world. I've never had a phone outlast the battery.
 
C

CU

Platinum Member
Aug 14, 2000
2,415
51
91
Greenman said:
While this seems a sensible idea, I don't think it matters in the real world. I've never had a phone outlast the battery.
Click to expand...
Funny. I have never had a battery out last a phone. My family all had Moto Z3's or Z something one time and the batteries all died within 2 years. The phones were still good and plenty fast for games and web. But, you couldn't use them due to the batteries. When they started to go they went fast. OK battery, then within a month nothing. By the time I replaced mine it wouldn't hold a charge while plugged in and talking on it. It was draining the battery faster than it was charging with the factory charger.

I would gladly take a thicker phone for $100 more with a replaceable battery. That sure beats replacing the phone ever few years. Hope the US does the same.
 
Amused

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,039
18,350
146
CU said:
Funny. I have never had a battery out last a phone. My family all had Moto Z3's or Z something one time and the batteries all died within 2 years. The phones were still good and plenty fast for games and web. But, you couldn't use them due to the batteries. When they started to go they went fast. OK battery, then within a month nothing. By the time I replaced mine it wouldn't hold a charge while plugged in and talking on it. It was draining the battery faster than it was charging with the factory charger.

I would gladly take a thicker phone for $100 more with a replaceable battery. That sure beats replacing the phone ever few years. Hope the US does the same.
Click to expand...

With my last 2 Samsungs I have fast charging turned off at night by Bixby. That keeps the batteries as good as new (as far as I can tell) for 3+ years.

If you can, always slow charge at night and only use fast or ultra fast charging when absolutely needed. PD+ charging is great, but it's a battery killer.
 
Q

quikah

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2003
4,158
715
126
The biggest change I think would be removing the glass back to create a screw on metal backplate for battery access. This would be a welcome change even without the replaceable battery. I hate the glass backs, so useless, and just another thing to break.
 
C

CU

Platinum Member
Aug 14, 2000
2,415
51
91
Amused said:
With my last 2 Samsungs I have fast charging turned off at night by Bixby. That keeps the batteries as good as new (as far as I can tell) for 3+ years.

If you can, always slow charge at night and only use fast or ultra fast charging when absolutely needed. PD+ charging is great, but it's a battery killer.
Click to expand...
The Moto's used slow chargers. They all have Samsung phones now with the slow chargers that came with them. One kid has already said his doesn't seem to hold a charge like it did. They are just under 2 years old. Although they are teens and always on them, so. My Oneplus 10 has a really fast charger, but I only use it for a quick charge when needed. Most of the time it slow charges from my PC USB port. At one year old it still lasts a day with not much trouble. Although when new I think it lasted 2-3. So, it seems to have fallen off some. I will see how it works next year this time.
 
Amused

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,039
18,350
146
CU said:
The Moto's used slow chargers. They all have Samsung phones now with the slow chargers that came with them. One kid has already said his doesn't seem to hold a charge like it did. They are just under 2 years old. Although they are teens and always on them, so. My Oneplus 10 has a really fast charger, but I only use it for a quick charge when needed. Most of the time it slow charges from my PC USB port. At one year old it still lasts a day with not much trouble. Although when new I think it lasted 2-3. So, it seems to have fallen off some. I will see how it works next year this time.
Click to expand...

You have to turn fast charging, wireless fast charging and superfast charging off in Android settings
 
Brainonska511

Brainonska511

Lifer
Dec 10, 2005
27,464
11,768
136
Amused said:
You have to turn fast charging, wireless fast charging and superfast charging off in Android settings
Click to expand...
That's generally only available in newer android models. I previously had a pixel 3a and it was fast charging or nothing.

My new Pixel 7 has a selective fast charge feature. In bedtime mode/overnight, it slow charges, but if I want a quick charge during the day, I can do that just fine.
 
Amused

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,039
18,350
146
Brainonska511 said:
That's generally only available in newer android models. I previously had a pixel 3a and it was fast charging or nothing.

My new Pixel 7 has a selective fast charge feature. In bedtime mode/overnight, it slow charges, but if I want a quick charge during the day, I can do that just fine.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my last 2 Samsung phones. The last Note 10+ and my current S22 Ultra.

It's a game changer for battery lifespan. PD+ is great when you need it, but kills batteries when used all the time.

Very little degradation in 3 years on the Note.
 
A

Ajay

Lifer
Jan 8, 2001
16,094
8,111
136
Since I haven't checked the news yet - has Apple thrown a hissy fit yet?
 
MtnMan

MtnMan

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2004
9,278
8,580
136
spacejamz said:
Wonder how this will affect the IP ratings of these phones?
Click to expand...
I got my first cell phone in 1991, a bag phone. Probably went to a pocket sized phone in 1996, when they first came out.

27 years later and I have never submerged a phone. Last phone I had with a user changeable battery was an LG G5, which I got in 2015.

Swapable battery is a great swap for a lower IP rating.
 
C

CU

Platinum Member
Aug 14, 2000
2,415
51
91
Amused said:
You have to turn fast charging, wireless fast charging and superfast charging off in Android settings
Click to expand...
Not if the charger doesn't support it. Which the old Moto's and current Samsungs they have don't.
 
Drach

Drach

Golden Member
Apr 24, 2022
1,244
1,955
106
trenchfoot

trenchfoot

Lifer
Aug 5, 2000
15,448
7,970
136
Well my Samsung Active 3 Enterprise Tab is coming with a replaceable battery (Amazon Deal Days) of which was the sole reason for my wanting to choose that one over all the others. If I recall, a few economy Samsung cell phones have replaceable batt's too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom