Europe has pledged that removable batteries will return to smartphones and that users can replace them themselves.
The European Union has adopted a series of laws and regulations which directly attack the iPhone. First it was the single connector and the obligation for the iPhone to change its traditional Lightning connector for USB-C, then came the law on digital markets which forces Apple to offer alternatives to the App Store, and the sequel could affect Apple even more. .
It seems that Europe wants devices have easily interchangeable removable batteries, something diametrically opposed to Apple’s idea. The idea is that the batteries of all devices can be easily removed and changed by the user.
Negotiators agreed to stricter requirements to make batteries more durable, efficient and long-lasting.
We’ve never had an iPhone with a removable battery
The original iPhone came out when removable batteries were the norm in smartphones at the time. Apple launched a new design concept where everything was integrated in a more compact way, and since then no iPhone has ever had a removable battery. Moreover, most smartphones have followed the same line as the iPhone.
Europe wants to make it easier to change the battery of a smartphone
However, this must convince the European entities. A few days ago, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on “to review EU battery rules and take into account technological advances and future challenges”. The rules apply to all types of batteries, from so-called “portable” batteries in smartphones to batteries in electric cars.
The objective of the standard standard is that users can “easily remove the batteries and replace them yourself”. Something that is available in 99% of current smartphones is almost impossible. Apple provides the tools and parts to fix your iPhone yourself, but it’s not an easy process.
The current design of smartphones allowed these to be more resistant to water and dust, thinner and less heavy. If removable batteries were to return, it is likely that many of these functions would be lost. We would need a cover that could be removed to replace the battery.
At the moment nothing is closed and no law has been proposed, however the same has already happened with USB-C and with the alternatives to the App Store. Europe warned some time ago and later he approved the laws necessary to implement it. We’ll see if that happens in a few years.
