The EU wants to bring back removable batteries on phones

[editor]

Yes, yes and yes please (if it ever actually happens). And fuck Apple for resisting the universal USB charging port because they're so fucking special or whatever.

The European Union has been working hard (and long) on imposing a standardized charging port across all smartphones and manufacturers. This is obviously something companies like Apple are strongly opposing, as the iPhone is using a proprietary Lightning port. Not that it can’t be worked around with an adaptor, but we digress.

Now a set of leaked documents suggests that the EU is working on legislature to force all smartphone manufacturers to go back in time and make the batteries inside devices user accessible.


Most smartphones these days have a built-in, non-removable battery, but that’s about to change, if the legislature goes through. The reasons behind it, according to chatter, is the reduction of waste (as batteries often die before other components inside smartphones do).

The EU wants to bring back removable batteries

A set of leaked documents suggests that the EU is working on legislature to force all smartphone manufacturers to make batteries removable.

pocketnow.com

 

[PursuedByBears]

Great idea, shame we won't benefit in the UK if Brexit goes ahead without a decent deal.

 

[gosub]

Great idea, shame we won't benefit in the UK if Brexit goes ahead without a decent deal.

Companies do not make bespoke for each market, they make a generric that will can be slight altered for each. If EU can force them back to removable batteries it will impact on what is sold globally

 

[marty21]

I used to carry spare batteries for my phone , now I carry spare charger things, I prefer them tbf

 

[two sheds]

if the charger goes you can just replace it though, not possible with an in-built battery that's failed

 

[Lord Camomile]

It's why I stuck with my old Samsung for so long (until I lost it ); being able to carry a spare that was ready to go was really handy. Yes, can carry a power bank, but that's not "ready to go" like an already charged battery is, plus it means I can use a power bank for any of the other electronic stuff I carry around like my headphones or tablet.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I predict companies will ignore it. Or if forced sell second rate smartphones and keep the premium models for other markets, but allow consumers to grey import them.

Smartphone batteries arent generally a massive ball ache to get changed. Not as easy as it used to be, but your average phone shop can do it without to much bother.

 

[petee]

I'm glad they're working hard and long.

 

[Saul Goodman]

if the charger goes you can just replace it though, not possible with an in-built battery that's failed

Hmmm... yes it is.

I'm not arsed about removable batteries. They last long enough now that it doesn't matter, but even if the battery only lasts 3 years before it needs replacing... so what?
I've just bought a battery for a 5 year old phone. It cost 8 quid, and a couple of quid for the tools to fit it. I don't think 10 quid for 5 years of use is all that bad, tbf.

 

[two sheds]

ah ok fair play mine you just take the back off and swap the battery.

 

[Saul Goodman]

ah ok fair play mine you just take the back off and swap the battery.

Don't get me wrong. I've nothing against removable batteries. If someone wants a phone with a removable battery, there are plenty available, but I don't think I've come across a modern phone with a battery that lasts less than 3 years, which means the battery will effectively outlast the phone, as most phones are considered EOL at about 3 years. It's roughly how long they're supported by the manufacturer, but if someone wants to continue to use the phone, despite lack of support, it isn't hard or expensive to replace the battery.

 

[editor]

Don't get me wrong. I've nothing against removable batteries. If someone wants a phone with a removable battery, there are plenty available, but I don't think I've come across a modern phone with a battery that lasts less than 3 years, which means the battery will effectively outlast the phone, as most phones are considered EOL at about 3 years. It's roughly how long they're supported by the manufacturer, but if someone wants to continue to use the phone, despite lack of support, it isn't hard or expensive to replace the battery.

Shitloads of people use phones older than 3 years and depending on usage, the battery life may deplete considerably before then (see iPhone/Samsung threads). Being able to change the battery categorically will extend the life of many phones and make a real difference to people on low incomes.

 

[two sheds]

Someone gave me an HTC about 6 years ago and I think had owned it himself for a couple of years. It and battery are still fine.

 

[alex_]

I predict companies will ignore it. Or if forced sell second rate smartphones and keep the premium models for other markets, but allow consumers to grey import .

Smart phone manufacturers will all stop selling direct in the second largest consumer market in the world ?

which accounts for 20% of global mobile phone revenue ?

Alex

 

[existentialist]

Shitloads of people use phones older than 3 years and depending on usage, the battery life may deplete considerably before then (see iPhone/Samsung threads). Being able to change the battery categorically will extend the life of many phones and make a real difference to people on low incomes.

Yes, I have a Huawei that's about 3 years old, and the battery life is well off the pace - it doesn't feel as good as the 80% of new that Accubattery claims for it....

 

[Saul Goodman]

Shitloads of people use phones older than 3 years and depending on usage, the battery life may deplete considerably before then (see iPhone/Samsung threads). Being able to change the battery categorically will extend the life of many phones and make a real difference to people on low incomes.

Which doesn't disagree with anything I said, and I wouldn't consider £10 unaffordable for a new battery. But if you don't have the wherewithal to change the battery yourself, and taking it to a shop is going to be cost prohibitive, buy a phone with a removable back. There are plenty available.

 

[gosub]

Which doesn't disagree with anything I said, and I wouldn't consider £10 unaffordable for a new battery. But if you don't have the wherewithal to change the battery yourself, and taking it to a shop is going to be cost prohibitive, buy a phone with a removable back. There are plenty available.

I don't think it's primarily about the odd tenner it's more about the cynical nature of built in obsilecence

 

[Marty1]

I don't think it's primarily about the odd tenner it's more about the cynical nature of built in obsilecence

Good point - my Android enterprise device has a removable battery yet has a ‘life expectancy’ of around 3yrs.

I’ve had it for 3yrs now and it’s still running fine enough but does seem to run my main delivery app noticeably slower than before. I’m going to do an Android software upgrade to see if that helps as ideally I want to run this device to it’s last breath as it cost about the same as the most expensive iPhone available now.

 

[gosub]

Good point - my Android enterprise device has a removable battery yet has a ‘life expectancy’ of around 3yrs.

I’ve had it for 3yrs now and it’s still running fine enough but does seem to run my main delivery app noticeably slower than before. I’m going to do an Android software upgrade to see if that helps as ideally I want to run this device to it’s last breath as it cost about the same as the most expensive iPhone available now.

First smart phone was a cheap ZTE extended life by changing battery then further extended by rooting and putting later version of Android on it, gave up when could nt further upgrade android when apps needed later version.


Remember bloke in phone shop telling me I'd never get laid with that phone. Was amazed at the idea of people choosing sexyal partners based on phones, presume they do exist but rather not know such shallow people.


Sent from a Motorola Moto

 

[Saul Goodman]

I don't think it's primarily about the odd tenner it's more about the cynical nature of built in obsilecence

I guess it depends on how you view built in obsolescence. In the case of mobile phones, most people will change them before they're three years old, or when the battery starts to fail. This results in loads of second hand phones with many years of life left in them becoming available to people who simply cannot afford the newest models, and if a phone requires a new battery, it's going to be even cheaper, so now even the poorest of people can afford a decent phone. I don't see how that's a bad thing. Let the idiots who need the latest and greatest £1000 phone subsidise those who can't afford them.
I think a call for manufacturers to support the OS on older phones for longer would be a more worthy cause.

 

[alex_]

I think a call for manufacturers to support the OS on older phones for longer would be a more worthy cause.

This is sure to be next, many android devices don’t even get 2 years.

Apple typically 4 to 5 years.

Alex

 

[cupid_stunt]

This is sure to be next, many android devices don’t even get 2 years.

Bullshit, I've had my Samsung for at least 5 years, no problems & not needed to replace the battery.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Bullshit, I've had my Samsung for at least 5 years, no problems & not needed to replace the battery.

I'd wager you'd get better battery life if you did though.

 

[alex_]

Bullshit, I've had my Samsung for at least 5 years, no problems & not needed to replace the battery.

I’m talking about os updates as is clear

 

[Saul Goodman]

I’m talking about os updates as is clear

Which manufacturers provide less than 2 years of OS updates?

 

[ItWillNeverWork]

Shitloads of people use phones older than 3 years and depending on usage, the battery life may deplete considerably before then (see iPhone/Samsung threads). Being able to change the battery categorically will extend the life of many phones and make a real difference to people on low incomes.

All those people on low incomes buying Apple phones?

 

[xenon]

All those people on low incomes buying Apple phones?

Quite a lot of people buy second hand iPhones or get hand me downs.


Still using the 6s. It was replaced when they did the battery thing a couple of years ago but it's still a 5 year old model, running the latest OS.

 

[editor]

All those people on low incomes buying Apple phones?

Some yes, obviously, and some buy them secondhand. Not sure why you needed to ask the question, to be honest.

 

[weltweit]

So it seems the EU has decided that changeable batteries are in the consumer's interest and that manufacturers of phones are acting against customer's interests by not providing them.

If that was the case, manufacturers are not stupid, surely a manufacturer producing a top phone with changeable batteries would clear up! Wonder why that hasn't occurred?

 

[UnderOpenSky]

So it seems the EU has decided that changeable batteries are in the consumer's interest and that manufacturers of phones are acting against customer's interests by not providing them.

If that was the case, manufacturers are not stupid, surely a manufacturer producing a top phone with changeable batteries would clear up! Wonder why that hasn't occurred?

Because they belive consumers value thinner, lighter, sleeker devices. Although most of us put them in a case anyway.