Europe’s Charging Up Change

9 min readAug 19, 2023

A Revolution in Consumer Electronics: The Return of Replaceable Batteries

The Historical Context

In the nascent era of smartphones, the tactile sensation of snapping a spare battery into place was a common experience. The convenience of replaceable batteries was more than a mere feature; it was a symbol of autonomy and control for users. I remember an era when heavy Blackberry users would carry around a spare battery just in case they had to fire off an email on a battery-drained device.

As technology advanced, the industry began to shift towards sealed batteries. Several factors contributed to this change:

Aesthetic Appeal: Sealed batteries allowed for slimmer, sleeker designs. The absence of removable battery compartments and covers contributed to a more streamlined appearance, which became a selling point for many consumers.
Water and Dust Resistance: By sealing the battery within the device, manufacturers could more easily achieve water and dust resistance, enhancing the durability of the products.
Increased Battery Capacity: The space saved by eliminating the need for removable compartments allowed for larger batteries, potentially extending the device’s battery life.
Control Over Repairs: Sealed designs made it more difficult for consumers to replace batteries themselves, driving them toward authorized service centers. This allowed manufacturers to maintain control over repairs and generate additional revenue.
Perceived Obsolescence: Some critics argue that sealed batteries contributed to a culture of planned obsolescence, where devices became disposable as soon as the battery’s lifespan diminished. This encouraged consumers to purchase new devices more frequently, benefiting manufacturers.

The Return of Replaceable Batteries

In a landmark decision in June of 2023, the European Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority to mandate all consumer devices — including phones, tablets, and laptops — to have easily replaceable batteries. This sweeping law stipulates that the battery-changing process must be devoid of specialized tools, and manufacturers are expressly forbidden from using adhesives to secure batteries within their casings.

Several manufacturers have employed this approach, including Apple, whose iPhones, such as the iPhone X and subsequent models, have used adhesives to secure the battery, contributing to a sleek design but making battery replacement more challenging. I’ve fixed a few iPhones myself over the years and the adhesive is the biggest barrier and time consumer when repairing these models.

The current “glass sandwich” design of smartphones, which leans heavily on adhesives, will need to undergo a radical transformation.

Samsung’s Galaxy series has also utilized adhesives, with models like the Galaxy S8 using adhesive to achieve water and dust resistance.

Contrary to popular belief, some devices with replaceable batteries, such as the Samsung Galaxy S5, have successfully achieved water and dust resistance, proving that aesthetics and functionality can coexist.

Microsoft’s Surface tablets have been noted for their extensive use of adhesives, making them notoriously difficult to open and repair without specialized tools including several Torx screwdrivers. The T2, T3, T4, & T5 versions of the screwdriver are all required to safely open a Microsoft Surface Pro. Some models have received a score of just 1 out of 10 from iFixit, a popular repair guide website, due to the extensive use of adhesives and specialized tools required for opening.

Microsoft Surface Pro’s Adhesive Overload

The implications of this law stretch far beyond the borders of Europe, sending ripples across the global market. Manufacturers are unlikely to create region-specific products for the EU, so this change is poised to become a worldwide standard.

Samsung’s last flagship phone with a removable battery was the Galaxy Note 4, released in 2014.

The Challenge for Manufacturers

Critics argue that removable batteries will herald a return to bulkier designs, sacrificing the premium feel of modern devices. Concerns about losing water resistance abound. Yet, historical examples like the Samsung S5 and Sony xb10, both equipped with user-removable batteries and water resistance, stand as testaments to the feasibility of marrying these features.

Right to Repair Movement

The ruling is a triumphant victory for the right-to-repair movement, a grassroots campaign advocating for consumer goods to be easily repairable. This movement has been waging a relentless battle against trends where broken devices are discarded rather than mended, and against corporations like Apple, known for their draconian repair policies.

At the heart of the right-to-repair movement is a philosophy that transcends mere functionality. It’s about autonomy, sustainability, and the democratization of technology. The movement argues that consumers should have the right to repair their devices using parts, tools, and information that should be available to all. It’s a call for transparency and fairness in an industry often shrouded in secrecy.

The right to repair also has broader economic and environmental implications. By making repairs more accessible and affordable, it encourages a culture of fixing rather than replacing, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability. It also fosters a thriving independent repair industry, creating jobs and offering consumers more choices.

Environmental Considerations

But the new law transcends mere consumer convenience; it’s a clarion call for environmental stewardship. A staggering 50 million annual tons of e-waste are birthed when phones are cast aside instead of repaired. The European Parliament’s vision is to forge a circular economy for batteries, ensuring that the precious raw materials are conserved, not squandered.

The law’s environmental provisions include:

Collecting 63% of portable batteries destined for landfill by 2027.
Achieving 50% lithium recovery from waste batteries by 2027.
Mandating that EV batteries comprise certain percentages of recyclable content.

Only about 50% of all batteries are recycled worldwide. Recycling batteries helps to conserve natural resources and prevents harmful chemicals from contaminating the environment.

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally, with 50 million tons generated annually.

The Future of Consumer Electronics

With the European Council’s approval, the law will be activated in 2027, granting manufacturers a grace period of over three years to adapt. This metamorphosis will undoubtedly convulse the industry, influencing not only smartphones but also laptops, e-bikes, and electric vehicles.

The return of replaceable batteries is more than a mere technical adjustment; it’s a philosophical shift that echoes the values of a society increasingly concerned with sustainability, autonomy, and fairness. It’s a recognition that technology should serve the people, not bind them to a cycle of endless consumption and waste. Tech should be there to serve us, not be our overlord in a never-ending cycle of buy, break, repeat.

Manufacturers will face challenges in adapting to the new regulations, but the industry has proven its resilience and creativity time and again. The transition may indeed lead to a temporary return to bulkier designs, but it also opens the door to innovation, inviting engineers to explore new ways to combine aesthetics, functionality, and environmental responsibility.

New Technologies for Replaceable Batteries

Advanced Gasket Designs: Manufacturers are experimenting with new gasket materials and designs that can effectively seal battery compartments without impeding the ease of battery replacement. These gaskets can be re-sealed multiple times without losing their water and dust resistance capabilities.
Apple: In some of its devices, Apple has been working on incorporating improved gasket designs to maintain water and dust resistance. These gaskets aim to provide a seal that can be opened and resealed when replacing batteries.
Samsung: In their efforts to make more sustainable smartphones, Samsung has also focused on gasket technologies that enable battery compartments to be both secure and accessible.
Magnetic Locking Mechanisms: To avoid the use of screws or adhesives, some companies are working on magnetic locking systems that hold the battery securely in place but allow for quick and easy removal.
Microsoft Surface: The Surface Book devices used a magnetic locking mechanism to attach the tablet portion to the keyboard. This concept can be extended to battery compartments, enabling easy replacement without screws or glue.
Nano-Coatings: Specialized coatings can be applied to the internal components, including the battery, to provide water resistance without the need for hermetic sealing. This makes the battery replaceable while maintaining internal protection from moisture.
P2i: P2i is a global leader in liquid-repellent nano-coatings. They’ve partnered with smartphone manufacturers to develop coatings that provide internal protection, potentially including the battery, without the need for complete sealing.
Liquipel: Another company that offers specialized coatings for electronics. Their technology can make individual components like batteries resistant to moisture, easing replacement without compromising protection.
Hybrid Sealing Technologies: By combining multiple sealing techniques, manufacturers can create a secure yet removable battery enclosure. This can include snap-fit joints that require no tools, combined with gaskets or other sealing mechanisms that ensure water and dust resistance.
Modular Designs: Creating a more modular internal architecture allows for the easier replacement of individual components, including the battery. By isolating the battery compartment and protecting it with individual seals, it’s possible to retain overall water and dust resistance while still allowing user access to the battery.
Fairphone: The Fairphone is a prime example of modular design in smartphones. The company emphasizes ease of replacement for all components, including the battery. Individual seals protect each part, retaining overall resistance to water and dust.
Google’s Project Ara: Though discontinued, this project aimed to create a fully modular smartphone, including replaceable batteries. While it didn’t reach commercial success, it showcased the potential of modular designs for user-replaceable components.

Examples of Progress

Samsung Galaxy XCover Series: Some of Samsung’s rugged phones have included replaceable batteries while maintaining IP68 water and dust resistance ratings.
LG V20: This smartphone was designed with both a replaceable battery and an IP rating for water and dust resistance. It provided a precedent that these features can coexist in a modern device.
Fairphone: Known for its modular design, Fairphone aims to make all parts of the phone replaceable, emphasizing repairability and sustainability. While water resistance is still a challenge, the company is actively working on solutions that combine ease of repair with protection from the elements.

The law also represents a victory for democracy and the power of collective action. The right-to-repair movement, once a fringe campaign, has succeeded in influencing policy at the highest level. Once the weird kid in the corner, now they’re the prom king. It’s a reminder that individuals, united by a common cause, can challenge even the most entrenched corporate interests.

Finally, the new regulations send a clear message to the world that the era of disposable technology could be coming to an end. The future of consumer electronics will be shaped by principles of sustainability, repairability, and respect for the planet’s finite resources. It’s a future where technology enhances our lives without compromising the well-being of future generations.

In the end, the return of replaceable batteries is not just a revolution in consumer electronics; it’s a revolution in how we think about technology itself. It’s a step towards a world where technology is a tool for empowerment, not enslavement, a world where innovation serves the common good, not just the bottom line.

It’s a wink and a nod to a future where technology doesn’t just keep us plugged in but sets us free. Forget about a change in design; this is a change in the script, a new punchline in the joke that’s been on us for too long.