Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

EU rules taking effect in 2027 will require most portable devices sold in Europe to have easily replaceable batteries, aiming to cut e‑waste and strengthen right‑to‑repair. Commenters argue over how meaningful the change will be, since exemptions for long‑lasting and highly water‑resistant batteries may let major flagships like iPhones and top Samsung models avoid user-removable designs. The thread highlights tensions between environmental goals and design trade‑offs (thinness, ruggedness, waterproofing), skepticism about how battery endurance will be tested and enforced, and broader concerns about regulatory capture and device longevity.

Scope of the regulation

  • Two EU regulations interact:
    • Batteries regulation 2023/1542: general rule that portable batteries must be end‑user replaceable, with exceptions (e.g., certain waterproof/medical devices).
    • Ecodesign regulation 2023/1670 (smartphones/tablets): allows non‑user‑replaceable batteries if strict conditions are met.
  • An EU notice clarifies that for phones/tablets, the ecodesign rules (with exemptions) override the general batteries rule.

Key exemptions and perceived “loopholes”

  • Phone/tablet batteries may be non‑user‑replaceable if:
    • They retain ≥83% after 500 cycles and ≥80% after 1,000 full cycles, and
    • The device meets at least IP67 water resistance.
  • Many commenters argue this effectively exempts flagship iPhones and Samsungs, calling it regulatory capture that guts the law’s impact on e‑waste.
  • Others counter that the requirement is nontrivial, drives better battery quality/management, and still hits low‑end “disposable” phones.

Battery life, testing, and gaming concerns

  • Several users report recent iPhones dropping below 80% well before 1,000 cycles, disputing that “all flagships” already meet the bar.
  • Big worries about:
    • How a “cycle” is defined (partial vs full cycles, usage patterns).
    • Test conditions (temperature, charge limits).
    • Vendors gaming UI‑reported health (cap at 80%, redefine 100%, fudge metrics).
  • Unclear how claims will be verified or what real remedies users get if batteries underperform after warranty.

“Removable” and tools

  • “Removable by end‑user” is defined as:
    • Replaceable with “basic tools” (explicitly: Phillips, slotted, Torx, hex keys, pry tools, spudger, etc.).
    • No adhesives requiring heat or solvents; “special tools” must be provided free.
  • Some note this still won’t be DIY for most users but should make shop repairs cheaper and safer.

Design trade‑offs: thickness, waterproofing, and robustness

  • One camp: removable batteries mean thicker, less rigid, less waterproof phones; most people prefer thin, sealed devices and will accept occasional paid replacements.
  • Other camp: examples of rugged IP‑rated phones and watches with screws/gaskets prove water resistance and replaceability can coexist, with modest penalties (mm and grams).
  • Many point out most phones live in bulky cases anyway, so ultra‑thinness is a marketing, not user, priority.

E‑waste, right‑to‑repair, and broader regulation

  • Supporters see this as a (small) step against e‑waste and toward right‑to‑repair: easier battery replacement, mandated spare‑part availability, clearer disassembly procedures.
  • Critics say the exemptions plus lack of standardized batteries and long‑term OS/firmware support mean limited real impact.
  • Broader wishes: mandatory long‑term software updates or unlockability, tool‑battery standards, SD‑card and headphone‑jack mandates, and even standardized cells (e.g., 18650).