The "non-replaceable" battery myth

Rdmkr

Senior member
Aug 2, 2013
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reading some of the threads on this forum and XDA, I found out that a lot of people were getting a lot more juice out of their batteries than I got from my LG G2's. Most of my battery drain came from powering the screen backlight, so software hacks weren't going to fix the problem. Nevertheless, I decided to take matters in my own hands and I wasn't going to let the "non-replaceable battery" designation stop me. A quick webshop order and 1 day wait later my $22 battery was ready for installment (best I've spent in quite a while).

Turns out the repair job was surprisingly easy. The worst I had to do was screw loose two plastic panels, disjoin some connectors, pry some glue from underneath some small metal sheets and lift the battery from the square pen it was glued into. Reverse the process with the new battery in place and presto.

I think what will most freak out people about this description is the word "glue" but it's really unnecessary. I found out that re-applying the glue was only really necessary in the battery pen. All other sheets were fixed underneath the screwed plastic panels already. I did glue the sheets back on to be sure and even then the job was hardly at all messy, nor was anything likely to dislodge in the process.

The results were quite amazing; tripled battery life doesn't overstate the effect. Now you might wonder what kind of huge defect to the old battery could make that difference so large. Honestly I'm left guessing too, but this picture might provide a clue:

VTK5lP1.jpg


At any rate, I'm not surprised anymore why I couldn't get the seams at the left side of my phone closed properly anymore. :biggrin:

The term "non-replaceable", like many restrictions on Android phones, applies only to warranty-dependent mortals who cringe at the thought of doing anything with their phones that OEMs didn't intend them to. To anyone else this shouldn't be a reason to reject a gem like the LG G2 or other samsung competitors*.

* I can't guarantee it will be similarly easy, though
 

paperwastage

Golden Member
May 25, 2010
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Problem: You are posting in a technical forum, where users are of a higher technical ability than the average smartphone user.

think the average smartphone user is willing to open up his smartphone with tools? How many people have problems with their computer software and look to places like Geek Squad for help (let alone tinkering with their computer hardware)




anyways, I'm guessing your original battery is bad / bloated? shouldn't it be under warranty still?

there's still one problem that non-replacable batteries pose: you don't have the option to put an extended 10,000mAh battery
 

Rdmkr

Senior member
Aug 2, 2013
272
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yeah I'm well aware of that distinction. in another thread I recommended people to get an S4 over a G2 if they don't intend to mod it much, including for reasons like this. So this OP was written with the audience of this forum in mind. The mileage of less typical visitors might vary.

My message though, is not to mentally overestimate this job. It's quite doable.

As to the warranty, my phone has been rooted and opened before, so that ship has sailed long ago.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
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We live in a world where people want disposable, sealed devices, including computers.
We live in a world where people are amazed at one's ability to use a screwdriver and connect a few standard parts together with cables or plugged into standard slots.

Cables and plugs? GAH.
Breaking a warranty and prying apart glued pieces? OMG!

That said - I've avoided opening any phones or tablets - I haven't felt the need, and I do like maintaining warranties without question.
 

Zaap

Diamond Member
Jun 12, 2008
7,162
424
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I think most people make the distinction "easily replaceable" or swappable when talking about replacable batteries in a phone. There's a huge difference between major surgery on your device and calling it "replaceable" vs. just popping off a battery door and swapping out a battery at will.
 

Belegost

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2001
1,807
19
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I think most people make the distinction "easily replaceable" or swappable when talking about replacable batteries in a phone. There's a huge difference between major surgery on your device and calling it "replaceable" vs. just popping off a battery door and swapping out a battery at will.

I disagree, I've seen a lot of people who put out the argument that a swappable battery is needed because the battery will go bad over time and then can't be replaced.

To the OP - overall repairing basic parts on a smartphone requires 3 things: 1) Patience 2) the right tools 3) a teardown guide/video. With those 3 things just about anyone can replace a battery or a broken screen or dead buttons.

Of course, the problem is that most people don't have 1) and so it doesn't work.
 

Imaginer

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
8,076
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The thing about having an easily replaceable battery (without the intense surgery) is that out in the field or away from home, one can easily get back up and running after a quick stop to a store for a replacement battery (if any sells one).

Or, if one has a spare on hand or two.

It also ensures a much easier time to handle during accidents, as a simple battery swap and drying of components would get it at least running again (how long though - that is the question, but much longer than a dead phone).

It is a reason why I am heavily considering that ATIV SE. I just wish Samsung had added a camera button to make that decision much easier.
 

Anteaus

Platinum Member
Oct 28, 2010
2,448
4
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"Replaceable" usually implies that it can be done in such a way as to not void the warranty. It has nothing to do with whether its actually possible to switch it out. In the right persons hands, virtually anything can be done to these devices.

In general, a phone sold today will be replaced before the battery needs replacing. These aren't the NiCad days. Of course, if you are one of those people who actually keeps devices for a long time after they've been eclipsed technologically that made not hold true. You are the exception though lol.
 

kyrax12

Platinum Member
May 21, 2010
2,416
2
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Regarding the HTC one and the M8, you would need to break through the phone to get to the battery right?
 

GoodEnough

Golden Member
Apr 24, 2011
1,547
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OP tripled his LG G2 battery life???
I thought LG G2 has a great battery already???
 

Zaap

Diamond Member
Jun 12, 2008
7,162
424
126
I disagree, I've seen a lot of people who put out the argument that a swappable battery is needed because the battery will go bad over time and then can't be replaced.
I've rarely seen anyone state "it can't be replaced" as in it's not possible, just that the average user is highly unlikely to if too much surgery is involved.
 

BrightCandle

Diamond Member
Mar 15, 2007
4,762
0
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My phone has been dying pretty quickly recently, the battery is basically 2 years old and I just bought a replacement (£5.50 bargain!). With Lipo batteries halving their capacity within 12 months it does seem the life of a lot of these phones is targeted to be just 1 year. I think its really irresponsible of the companies to glue in batteries and make it a faff to change them. A phone ought to have a longer lifetime than 1 year even with the pace of change of technology. Its very wasteful to both overcharge for new batteries (which makes people buy new phones instead of replacing the battery) and to make them hard to change.

So its good you managed to replace the battery in this way, its one less electronic component thrown into landfill or whatever they do with them. But I can't help but think that artificially reducing the life of the gadgets in this way is immoral and damaging to our world.
 
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Bman123

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2008
3,221
1
81
It's common sense for business they make a new phone each year so let's glue the battery in so they can't change it in a year for a new one and they buy a new phone. Same with software updates. I swear they Bork shit on purpose to piss you off into buying the newer model
 

kpkp

Senior member
Oct 11, 2012
468
0
76
A few thoughts on the subject:
-I never buy a phone that I don't see a teardown first, I need to feel confident that I can open it and replace most components, HTC I am looking at you
- that's one of the reasons I am not to excited about the waterproofing trend, but I love the nano coating Motorola is doing, because is a good compromise in my view
- I do not see glued batteries as big problem, you replace a bad battery, so if you damage it a bit more when removing it is not big deal (even if a bit scary) and then you can apply a more reasonable amount (in my experience most batteries are "overglued" for no good reason)
 

Rdmkr

Senior member
Aug 2, 2013
272
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I think it's possible that the battery bloating was the result of the previous repairer applying to much - and/or the wrong kind of - glue to the battery. It may have started melting and seeping through the thin outer wall, getting mixed with the chemicals inside. I feel lucky that nothing worse happened if this is the case. Sealed batteries like these can ignite and explode when handled the wrong way.

Another possibility is that the drop that shattered my screen earlier (the reason for the initial repair) broke a wall inside the battery.

In any case I've learned my lesson: do the job yourself if you want it done right.
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
452
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That looks dangerous as hell. Repairs like this should never be needed, especially on a sealed device.

I will steer clear of LG and their shoddy batteries now... thank you
 

kpkp

Senior member
Oct 11, 2012
468
0
76
That looks dangerous as hell. Repairs like this should never be needed, especially on a sealed device.

I will steer clear of LG and their shoddy batteries now... thank you

Read the thread again, this device went true hell and back... Your statement over all sounds so ignorant that is not even worth addressing.

If you want to be 100% sure your battery wont be defective don't use battery powered devices, that's the only way.
 

podspi

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2011
1,982
102
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Glad everything ended up ok OP :D

I'm surprised you got the life out of that battery that you did. We really need a battery technology than Li-ion...
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
That looks dangerous as hell. Repairs like this should never be needed, especially on a sealed device.

I will steer clear of LG and their shoddy batteries now... thank you

THAT'S what you got from this?


Jeez that's sad
 

rbk123

Senior member
Aug 22, 2006
747
349
136
That looks dangerous as hell. Repairs like this should never be needed, especially on a sealed device.

OP's definitely living on the edge, eh? He's probably a Navy Seal and laughs in the face of hellish danger, unlike us faint of hearts. Tomorrow he may even rewire a bad power cord on the vacuum cleaner.
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
452
126
Read the thread again, this device went true hell and back... Your statement over all sounds so ignorant that is not even worth addressing.

If you want to be 100% sure your battery wont be defective don't use battery powered devices, that's the only way.

THAT'S what you got from this?


Jeez that's sad

I read the OP again, I still don't see the reason why you're okay with the original battery being swolen. He opened it to replace the battery which was easier than expected, but he also noticed the original battery had physical damage... not good. If he didn't make the effort to change a battery that wasn't meant to be changed it might have ruptured.

Why am I the asshole for not wanting to have that potential in a sealed device?
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
I read the OP again, I still don't see the reason why you're okay with the original battery being swolen. He opened it to replace the battery which was easier than expected, but he also noticed the original battery had physical damage... not good. If he didn't make the effort to change a battery that wasn't meant to be changed it might have ruptured.

Why am I the asshole for not wanting to have that potential in a sealed device?

Because you have no evidence that it is something specifically faulty with LG. Samsung phones have blown up from bad batteries, are you going to never buy from samsung again?

Your point is stupid, yes a battery was bad, but that could happen with any phone company, LG is no more susceptible than HTC, Samsung, Nokia, etc, etc.

The point of the thread was that removable battery is a bit of a misnomer as even on sealed phones it is only a bit of patience and some basic tools required to replace the "nonreplacable" batteries.
 

kpkp

Senior member
Oct 11, 2012
468
0
76
I read the OP again, I still don't see the reason why you're okay with the original battery being swolen. He opened it to replace the battery which was easier than expected, but he also noticed the original battery had physical damage... not good. If he didn't make the effort to change a battery that wasn't meant to be changed it might have ruptured.

Why am I the asshole for not wanting to have that potential in a sealed device?
this too?
I think it's possible that the battery bloating was the result of the previous repairer applying to much - and/or the wrong kind of - glue to the battery. It may have started melting and seeping through the thin outer wall, getting mixed with the chemicals inside. I feel lucky that nothing worse happened if this is the case. Sealed batteries like these can ignite and explode when handled the wrong way.

Another possibility is that the drop that shattered my screen earlier (the reason for the initial repair) broke a wall inside the battery.

In any case I've learned my lesson: do the job yourself if you want it done right.