The EU is moving swiftly on its sanctions against smartphone companies. He is now requesting the return of the replaceable batteries. Is it still possible?
New EU regulation
It all started with the European Union enforcing its change in that since 2024 all smartphones must have USB-C connector, which does not particularly please Apple, which has been using its Lightning for 10 years.
Another change came in the fact that from January 2024, manufacturers must also make third-party app stores available to users, which again Apple has the biggest problem with due to the closedness of the iOS system.
The latest an act from the EU workshop however, it could affect absolutely all manufacturers, and it can be a serious technological problem.
Return of replaceable batteries
The European Union wants return of replaceable batteries. The European Parliament has reached a temporary agreement on the revision of EU rules on batteries and taking into account technological developments.
The agreed rules will apply to the entire life of the battery, from the extraction of materials and industrial production to disposal, and will apply to all types of batteries sold in the EU, i.e. power banks, power banks for starting, batteries for electric scooters or e-bikes and more.
This will make it easier to remove and replace batteries in many devices, not just smartphones. But this is a big problem that awaits smartphone companies.
The new regulation will jeopardize the IP68 certification
Manufacturers will also have to use a certain percentage of recycled materials, viz 16% cobalt, 85% lead, 6% lithium and 6% nickel.
The biggest problem may be ensuring water resistance, which flagship smartphones in particular have IP68 certification. This is where the advantage of non-replaceable batteries is shown.
What about foldable smartphones?
We cannot imagine, for example, a scenario where the batteries should be replaceable, for example in foldable smartphones. There are two batteries, each in one part of the puzzle. How would the battery be accessed in the part where the display is?
In such a case, it is almost impossible, which could mean that folding smartphones would have to be withdrawn from the European market. That would be a huge shame. The regulation on batteries is awaiting final approval by the Parliament and the Council.
What is your opinion on replaceable batteries? Do you think this would jeopardize the way for manufacturers to make smartphones water resistant? Let us know in the comments below the article. Watch the web ChinaPlanet, sign up for news and join us on our social networks Facebook a YouTube.
Why not? I would grant an exception only to the mentioned models, where it is a problem from a certain point of view. I bet that several models would have IPck certification right away, which should be a matter of course nowadays anyway.
I'm all for it, replaceable batteries are a big plus and I want to see them again. I don't take my smartphones in the shower, so water resistance doesn't bother me, and I don't have problems with foldable smartphones either. I am not a supporter of them. So for me, let it pass in the EU.