EU Wants Removable Batteries on Phones to Make a Comeback

Teejay Boris, Tech Times 21 December 2022, 09:12 pm

The European Union (EU) might spearhead the return of removable batteries, making replacement easy and straightforward for Apple iPhone and Android users.

Gone are the days when phone users could simply pop the battery from the rear of their mobile devices. From there, they could easily place it back, allowing them to replace it with ease.

These days, smartphone batteries are still replaceable. But it takes some skill and time to do so as they are no longer built to be removable.

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An attendee holds a new Apple iPhone 14 Pro during an Apple special event on September 07, 2022 in Cupertino, California. Apple unveiled the new iPhone 14 as well as new versions of the Apple Watch, including the Apple Watch SE, a low-cost version of the popular timepiece that will start st $249.

But it looks like a new European law is paving the way for the much-awaited return of removable batteries on phones. Or at least, replacement might soon be more straightforward.

EU Wants Battery Replacement on Phones To Be Easier

As per the latest report by Android Police, the EU is now focusing on smartphone batteries after making USB-C the universal charging port for phones, which forces Apple to ditch its Lightning cable for its future iPhones.

This time, the EU is pushing for batteries consumers could easily replace, like in the good ol' days.

The design of future batteries should reportedly not only be easy to remove but easy to replace as well.

However, once the new rule takes effect, it will still take three and a half years before it will be in force, according to a news story by 9to5 Mac.

The new rule reportedly states that "portable batteries in appliances must be designed so that consumers can easily remove and replace them themselves."

Is Removable Battery Comeback?

Given that, the new EU law proposes manufacturers work on batteries that could easily be removed, potentially a new-generation removable battery.

Android Police notes in its report that the return of removable batteries on phones might be greatly in favor of consumers. Easy battery replacement might help users further stick with their phones for a long time without spending costly repair fees.

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NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 09: Samsung introduces the new, super powerful Galaxy Note9 with all day performance, a new S Pen and intelligent camera - for those who want it all - at Samsung 837 on August 9, 2018 in New York City.

Some folks end up upgrading their phones to newer models after the batteries of their older mobile devices have died out. After all, some my find it impractical to spend money on an aging device.