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

Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by ksec on Saturday July 15, 2023 @09:05AM (#36736318)

I guess Apple could argue the current iPhone 14 design [1] ( Not iPhone 14 Pro Series ) are already "removable and replaceable by the end-user,". And if not it could be (in their views) quite close to that definition.

[1] iPhone 14 earns a 7/10 score on iFixit thanks to new back assembly

https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_14_earns_a_7_10_score_on_ifi...

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by nrabulinski on Saturday July 15, 2023 @10:52AM (#36737315)

Which honestly in my opinion is fair and I’d be happy with that as long as apple didn’t used proprietary screws and didn’t lock down phones which have user replaced parts in software.

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by ksec on Saturday July 15, 2023 @11:23AM (#36737632)

I would not be surprised they may drop the proprietary screws as well.

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by crote on Saturday July 15, 2023 @10:53AM (#36737328)

The iFixit score is primarily about it being replaceable at all, without requiring you to damage other components for example.

A core part of the EU law is that the repair should not require detailed technical expertise or uncommon tools. The current iPhone 13 design is not even remotely close to that. It requires a pentalobe screwdriver, a y000 screwdriver, picks which can only be inserted 3mm, a special clamp, a hairdryer to melt glue, and finally isopropyl alcohol.

The iFixit guide consists of 30 steps, with several warnings about accidentally causing significant damage. That is quite a bit beyond the intended "open battery cover using philips screwdriver" type of repair.

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by ksec on Saturday July 15, 2023 @11:26AM (#36737654)

Are there any other design which offer similar if not better water proof spec while offering easy battery replacement? What I am saying is that many ( not all but many ) of those steps are because of water proofing the phone.

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by nikau on Saturday July 15, 2023 @12:33PM (#36738477)

galaxy s5 was water proof with tool free battery swap. Was also similar thickness to contemporary devices.

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by ksec on Saturday July 15, 2023 @01:31PM (#36739146)

The S5 was IP67, the newer iPhone were all IP68 and sustain a lot longer than what Apple listed.

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by nikau on Saturday July 15, 2023 @10:51PM (#36743051)

S5 was also one of the first mainstream waterproof smartphone and came out almost 10 years ago, and had a replaceable battery without any tools.

If the back was screwed on vs clipped on (allowed with new laws), it could have easily been ip68 rated.

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Re:All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batter... by housemusicfan on Saturday July 15, 2023 @12:45PM (#36738626)

That's just more rehashed propaganda from the Apple camp. They said the same thing about removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, until the excuse quietly switched to "it's about more battery space".

Apparently a similar hole into the enclosure for the Lightning port was impervious to water in ways other holes weren't. The RDF kept the water out.

I've owned multiple waterproof phones with a simple o-ring gasket around the battery door. Low-tech I know.

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