EU law should require replaceable battery for phones
The European Union will soon vote on a law requiring phone manufacturers to make it easier for consumers to replace their phone batteries. Smartphones can last longer that way. We may see removable batteries again.
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EU battery law
The European Union has long had the goal of making technological products more sustainable. That is also one of the reasons why the universal charger will become a fact from 2024. The latest bill drafted by the European Commission focuses on batteries in electronic products, including telephones.
If the law is approved in the European Parliament, smartphone manufacturers will have to design their phones differently, making it easier for consumers to replace their smartphone’s battery. Currently, most devices are firmly glued on and people don’t have the knowledge, nor the necessary tools, to detach the back of their phone and replace the battery. Instead, manufacturers should screw their phones, or they can use a back that you can slide off just like before.
Smartphones today last much longer compared to the past due to more powerful hardware and longer software, and often the battery is now the first element to wear out in phones. That is also why we are strict in our reviews at Androidworld for phones with a weak battery life. If this situation already applies to a new device, the problem will occur even more if the phone has already aged.
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These are the consequences
This law may have negative consequences for smartphone manufacturers, because if everyone can replace the battery of their phone, fewer devices are expected to be sold. In addition, brands will also have to look for solutions with their designs. The big winners of this law would then be consumers, but also our planet.
It has been known since March 2022 that the EU is working on this bill. Gradually, some tech companies are also becoming aware that phones should be easier to repair. Apple launched a guide to iPhone repairs last year, and Samsung has similar plans as well. The brand that has been setting a good example for many years now is the Dutch Fairphone. Discover our review of the Fairphone 4 here.
