Proposed law could mandate replaceable batteries in phones -- in the EU

[fb020997]

My previous iPhone XR’s battery was stil at 89% of its capacity after 4 years of admittedly light use (slow (1A) 20-100% charge for the first two years, and slow 30-85 for the last two). I gave it to my mum in September 22 and bought a 13 Mini just for the size, otherwise I’d have kept the XR for some other years.
Slow charge and keeping the battery in the 30-85% range are good tips for not wearing down quickly a battery.

 

[Tams80]

Honestly, I would rather it be by other means for this to catch on, but we all know these billion dollar corporations will do anything to save a buck (pushing customers to buy new phones instead of repairing old ones is way too lucrative), and consumers are generally sheep when it comes to accepting things that aren't better for them.

And yes, it will be harder to get waterproofing done, but I'm sure the billion dollar corps will find a way (and a way to follow the letter of the law while still screwing the customer). It won't be the consumer's issue to solve (unless it's to replace the battery lol)...

Sadly, yes, legislation and regulation is the only way.

It has been shown time and time and time and time again that if we let companies lead the way and have their ways, that eventually they will abuse that position for purely their own gain.

 

[Michiel]

Honestly, I would rather it be by other means for this to catch on, but we all know these billion dollar corporations will do anything to save a buck (pushing customers to buy new phones instead of repairing old ones is way too lucrative), and consumers are generally sheep when it comes to accepting things that aren't better for them.

And yes, it will be harder to get waterproofing done, but I'm sure the billion dollar corps will find a way (and a way to follow the letter of the law while still screwing the customer). It won't be the consumer's issue to solve (unless it's to replace the battery lol)...

It really doesn't seem hard to put a watertight rubber seal around a replaceable battery/battery cover.

 

[m4a4]

It really doesn't seem hard to put a watertight rubber seal around a replaceable battery/battery cover.

That'll depend on how water resistant they want the phone. And if they want to be kind to the customer and not punish them for "breaking the factory seal" to replace a battery.

 

[pmshah]

I have 3 perfectly working phones that have turned into paper weights simply because the replacement batteries are not to be found OR one needs to go back the the OEM to get it done. I hope and pray Indian govt can impress upon /arm twist these manufacturers to start selling similar models in India. I hate the fixed battery phones with a passion. I certainly don't need nor care for the phones to be waterproof.

 

[Underdog]

Maybe people should learn to stop trying to use their phones in the shower, or while swimming. FFS get off the phone for a minute or two and find something else to engage with.

 

[ZedRM]

Am I reading the replies here correctly?? There are people here who will buy a new phone (for anything between $200 - $1200) instead of paying for a $50-60 battery replacement????? And would like a plastic cover and no water-proofing as well?

Seriously people??

Turns our, the problem is not really with the manufacturers.....!!

Yes, it happens. It's called planned-obsolescence. It's a deliberate business practice by manufacturers. Make replacing a battery extremely difficult and people will just buy a new phone/table/laptop instead. It's gump levels of dumb, it's extremely environmentally unfriendly and it's very wasteful. Apple claims to be a premiere "Green" company, but it's a total lie. Their business practices betray them and show them to be the hypocrites they really are. Samsung and all the others or not different. Sealed in, non-replaceable batteries as very not Green.

 

[ZedRM]

My previous iPhone XR’s battery was stil at 89% of its capacity after 4 years of admittedly light use (slow (1A) 20-100% charge for the first two years, and slow 30-85 for the last two). I gave it to my mum in September 22 and bought a 13 Mini just for the size, otherwise I’d have kept the XR for some other years.
Slow charge and keeping the battery in the 30-85% range are good tips for not wearing down quickly a battery.

You are an exception, not the rule. Most Apple device batteries become lackluster after two years and unusable after three years.

 

[fb020997]

You are an exception, not the rule. Most Apple device batteries become lackluster after two years and unusable after three years.

Can confirm, especially when people (some friends for example) charge iPhones at their max wattage (12 to ~30w) depending on the model

 

[Tams80]

That'll depend on how water resistant they want the phone. And if they want to be kind to the customer and not punish them for "breaking the factory seal" to replace a battery.

Much is made of the 'waterproofness' of sealed devices. But even after a couple of years, the adhesives used become loose and the integrity is broken.

Of course, that's all intended (or at the very least very welcome) as it increases the chances of you buying a new device.

Seals/gaskets work. Sure, they absolutely can become too loose quicker than adhesives, but just the seals/gaskets can be replaced and it's generally fairly obvious when they need replacing.