A new EU law will require all mobile devices to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027. In this episode we take a look at the law, it's consequences and right to repair.
Hi, my name is Dagogo Altraide and I create and narrate all the videos on here.
This channel aims to let you experience the cutting edge of the world around us in a relaxed atmosphere.
Learn the captivating stories about how our world came to be and also learn what's happening in the cutting edge today.
Next: I would like them to prohibit software limitations on hardware shipped in products so that if you ship a product with a hardware which is enabled on any device, you may not disable that hardware on different models. Ex - putting a 60kWh battery pack in all of your cars but limiting the usage in software based on pricing, or installing heaters which are enabled in some models but not in others.
Not saying if it is 100% good or not but this might add costs and time. The main reason for that is to simplify the fabrication process so there is a single line without different hardware configurations.
Not allowing it will reduce material waste in some cases that's true though. And in a way reduce the possibility of subscription models based on hardware unlocked by software which is good.
i bought a little waterproof Panasonic digicam in 2010, i have taken it to do whitewater rafting, to the beach, to swimming pools, it has removable battery, removable memory card and USB connection, lil shit still works to this day
Even older, Sony made a Walkman in the '90's that was waterproof, and also happened to split in half entirely to accept a cassette tape. Any claims that manufacturers "can't" implement battery compartments or other moving parts while maintaining some level of waterproofing is so far beyond disingenuous bullshit, it's passed right through and come out the other side. Plenty of those friggin' things wound up dunked in swimming pools back in the day -- mine certainly did -- without incident. Consumers spend upwards of $1000 on a flagship smart phone these days. For that kind of money, these fuckers can figure out how to give it both a removable battery and a full feature set.
And before the Apple shills, naysayers, and apologists all leap out of the woodwork (as they've been doing incessantly every time this argument comes around), this EU regulation does not stipulate that manufacturers have to use oldschool back-comes-off-with-your-fingers, flies-apart-when-you-drop-it, flip phone style battery covers. That's a straw man if ever there's been one. There is nothing stopping them from holding battery compartments shut with screws, which would certainly help with structural integrity and waterproofing concerns. Despite the implication in the synopsis, it does not appear that the need for tools is explicitly prohibited by the regulation. This quote is shown in the video above, but does not actually appear in the text of the regulation:
No tool... or set of tools that is supplied with the product or spare part, or basic tools. The process for replacement shall be able to be carried out by a layman.
The text actually states:
Portable batteries incorporated in appliances shall be readily removable and replaceable by the end-user or by independent operators during the lifetime of the appliance, if the batteries have a shorter lifetime than the appliance, or at the latest at the end of the lifetime of the appliance.
A battery is readily replaceable where, after its removal from an appliance, it can be substituted by a similar battery, without affecting the functioning or the performance of that appliance.
It's on page 55, if anyone wants to dig through the thing themselves.
The confusing part of the synopsis is how they awkwardly cut it at "no tools"and went on to list "or set of tools that is supplied with the product or spare part, or basic tools"
It's actually a list of the 3 valid ways to replace a battery under the law:
With no tools (eg pop off cover)
With a set of tools that is supplied with the product or spare part (special but included)
With basic tools (common screwdriver, etc)
So, yes a robust waterproof screwed-in cover should be totally fine.
Who says flexible batteries couldn't be made replaceable? The might have to attach it differently than using glue, but other than that, I don't see why it can't be replaceable. Additionally, replaceable does not have to mean that you can just click open a back cover and pull it out. It could also mean that you have to remove x number of screws to remove it, which is still fine.
My smartphone is an older LG which has a replaceable battery. It is shitty as a phone so I also have a very cheap flip phone that works great as a phone and also has a replaceable battery.
I hope this passes with an earlier implementation date and that the manufacturers decide to keep design the same worldwide.
Carried my (rooted) Huawei 6+years, changed the battery 2 times, never had any problems. But I see why people have. I'm afraid, they will use replaceable batteries as an opportunity to just double the price. Wait for it.
Checkout Fairphone! Almost everything in the phone is easily replaceable by someone who is not even experienced with phone tech (like me). Fair support chain and right to repair without being mandatory. I love this phone.
It is a net positive for the right to repair people.
It is more on the general that people should have the option to fix our devices that we own, without having to pay the company that made it to fix it.
Most companies engineer in failures as features so as to make more profit, while in the past many were able to fix simple things, without help, per the manuals.
More hardware and software locks are being implemented.
Edit: added more info on manuals and software locks