Several decisions have recently been made in the EU affecting the smartphone market: in particular, vendors have been ordered to allow third-party app stores and switch to a type-c connector. Now the European Commission intends to force electronics manufacturers to equip smartphones with removable batteries. A return to the origins that would also do good for the planet. Let's see the details.
Would you agree to go back to removable batteries in smartphones? It could really be the future of our mobile devices
The new draft document regulates some characteristics of smartphones and other electronic devices. Its provisions also cover electric vehicles and almost all consumer batteries of any size: the complexity of their disassembly and installation should allow the user to replace the battery himself. If the law is passed in its original form, electronics manufacturers will be given 3.5 years to retool their products and equip them with removable batteries.
Manufacturers of foldable smartphones can face the greatest difficulties due to their unusual layout - this design involves placing two batteries in different parts of the case. The traditional form factor makes battery replacement less difficult: for example, Samsung equips the Galaxy Xcover 6 Pro smartphone with a removable battery, despite the presence of IP68 and MIL-STD-810H protection.
EU officials also propose putting information on each battery about its capacity, life span, chemical composition and disposal rules. At the same time, it is planned to introduce a digital passport for the battery, which will contain general information. The primary message of the bill is concern for the environment. Quick access to the battery will allow users to easily remove the battery for later disposal and the eventual purchase of a new cell avoiding buying a smartphone from scratch.
