[23-08-20] EU Law Mandates Smartphone Makers to Offer Easily Replaceable Batteries

Summarized by Jonghyun Lee

Article

In the early to mid-2010s, many Android smartphones featured replaceable batteries, making it not unusual for people to carry spare batteries. However, industry design changes over the years, particularly the use of glass, glue, and metals, made it impossible to have easily replaceable batteries. But this is about to change.

 

In June 2023, the European Parliament passed a law (587 votes to 9) that mandates all consumer devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops, to have easily replaceable batteries. This means batteries should be replaceable without special tools or complex procedures. In essence, the process should be easy enough for any layperson to perform without relying on adhesives.

 

This law will transform how companies design phones, with significant players like Apple, Google, and Samsung having to rethink their design approaches. The traditional "glass sandwich" design, which relies heavily on adhesives, will have to change. Foldable phones may also face challenges in meeting these requirements.

 

While this law is from the EU, it will likely have global repercussions. Manufacturers probably won't design region-specific devices due to cost implications, meaning this EU law could shape product designs worldwide. Beyond smartphones, the legislation also affects other products with rechargeable batteries like tablets, laptops, electric vehicles (EVs), and e-bikes.

 

Starting July 2023, companies have a transition period until 2027 to adjust their designs to comply. The change is particularly significant for brands like Apple, which hasn't offered removable batteries since the first iPhone, and Samsung, which stopped this feature in their flagships after 2014.

 

The primary intent of behind this enforcement is environmental protection. Today, many users discard their phones when batteries degrade, contributing to over 50 million tons of e-waste annually. The European Parliament aims to foster a circular economy for batteries, minimizing raw material waste. The law sets targets for lithium recovery from waste batteries, recyclable content in EV batteries, and overall recycling efficiency.

 

While immediate changes aren't expected, manufacturers will soon need to gear up for compliance. This change will likely redefine product designs in the coming years.

 

Reasons why smartphones predominantly use build-in batteries.

Waterproofing and Dustproofing	To achieve a high degree of waterproof and dustproof capabilities. Recently launched smartphones are marketed with premium waterproofing and dustproofing features. Devices with removable batteries usually have gaps in their body, which make it challenging to achieve efficient waterproofing.
Material Choices	When using removable batteries, it's difficult for manufacturers to design smartphone bodies with materials other than plastic. This is because for batteries to be replaced frequently, materials with certain flexibility are more effective. However, to maintain a premium and sleek image of current smartphones, materials like metal and glass are predominantly used.
Design and Slimness	To make products slimmer and to achieve a more refined design, the trend is moving away from removable batteries.

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Questions

Q. Do you agree with the EU's decision to require smartphone makers to produce smartphones with replaceable batteries?

I support the EU's decision to mandating replaceable batteries in smartphones. 

Electronic waste contains harmful substances such as heavy metals, cadmium, mercury. The volume of this waste is increasing and is casuing environmental degradation.

Of course, there might be concerns about the hindering technological advancements and design and functionality limitations with removable batteries.

Past smartphones with removable batteries had pretty much achieved quality of design and function requirements, and there's no reason modern tech can't do the same or better. And I believe smartphone makers will overcome this issue.


Q. Do you think consumers benefit more from replaceable batteries than the current non-replaceable models?

Yes, obviously Of course non-removable battery provides design aesthetic and waterproof functionality, the main reason of smartphone makers pursuing non-replacable battery phone what I think is to make consumers trigger upgrading to a newer device. Consumer will have an option to choose between non-removable/removable battery smartphone. 3rd-party battery market will increase and will produce high performance battery.

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Reference

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/06/22/new-eu-law-to-force-smartphone-makers-to-build-easily-replaceable-batteries

https://mashable.com/article/replaceable-batteries-smartphones-iphones-2027

https://www.giffgaff.com/blog/removable-vs-non-removable-batteries/