TL;DR

  • The European Council has ended its adoption procedure for rules related to phones with replaceable batteries.
  • By 2027, all phones released in the EU must have a battery the user can easily replace with no tools or expertise.
  • The regulation intends to introduce a circular economy for batteries.
    • T156@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      You had IP67 water resistant phones with removable batteries back in the day, no reason why that design can’t come back.

    • shoelace@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      It might be harder to pull that off without making the phone thicker in the process, but still possible.

      • Tak@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        Just need a tray you pull out of the side of the device that contains the battery with a gasket and a latch. Like a really big SIM or SD card tray.

        The manufacturers can take the space needed from the battery making them even smaller and just blame regulators for the change while maintaining roughly the same phone without the battery for the rest of the world. At least that’s what I imagine they’ll do because corporations are always slimy like that.

          • variaatio@sopuli.xyz
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            1 year ago

            Well some might. Then you are free to vote with wallet and move to the maker who still thinks water resistance and dust is good sell factor for phones. Market working like it’s supposed and so on. Within the guiding barriers market regulations.

          • tal@kbin.social
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            1 year ago

            I’m sure that it’s possible to do both, though it’d eat even more space for gaskets or whatever.

      • tal@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        I don’t really care about thickness, though I would rather the thickness be used for a larger battery than for a replaceable battery.

        • fishcurry509@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Yup, and most regular users end up using phones for stuff which even a 4 or 5 year old phone would suffice. Except for the battery which keeps on degrading over the years.

          I’m just a little cautious, because easily replaceable batteries will further dent phone sales in general, there could potentially be a marked increase in phone prices once this regulation comes into effect.

        • NightOwl@lemmy.one
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          1 year ago

          Of course people been asking for that for years and they never do. So that part of larger battery in exchange for having an enclosed system has sailed long ago. It’s as likely as headphone jacks coming back.

    • T156@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      You had IP67 water resistant phones with removable batteries back in the day, no reason why that design can’t come back.