In ten months, the global smartphone market will face an unprecedented shake-up! According to the latest EU regulations, in ten months, all phones sold in the EU must allow ordinary users to easily replace the battery. This rule applies to all brands, including Apple.

​​Currently, most phones are sealed all-in-one units, with batteries glued tightly inside, and the back cover sealed very securely, making them impossible to open. However, the EU suddenly requires that phones launched in ten months can have their batteries replaced by users without heating, without professional screwdrivers, and without visiting repair shops—just with their hands or common household items.
All brands that want to continue selling phones in the EU must redesign their products to meet this standard.
​​This requirement is completely opposite to the industry’s development trend over the past decade. Back then, manufacturers gradually removed removable batteries to make phones thinner and more waterproof. Now, the EU is forcing a reversal, which means major modifications to production lines and internal structures.
​​Apple faces the greatest pressure. Its integrated body design is already very mature, with internal space packed tightly. To comply with the new regulation, it would need to change the fixed battery glue structure to a snap-fit or pull-tab design that’s easy to open, and also replan the frame and motherboard layout. Production lines would have to be halted and readjusted, incurring significant costs.
​​A few years ago, when the EU forced Apple to switch from Lightning to Type-C, Apple was very reluctant but ultimately compromised. This time, changing the battery structure is similar—market size is huge, and no one can bypass the rules.
​​The EU’s move is mainly due to the increasing electronic waste in Europe. Many phones’ screens and motherboards are still in good condition, but because the battery ages and loses capacity, the entire device is discarded. Consumers find replacing batteries expensive and difficult to open, so they buy new phones instead, wasting money and resources.
​​In the past, phones with removable batteries were popular; you could carry a spare power bank and swap batteries in seconds. Now, while integrated designs look sleek and are waterproof, replacing a battery becomes troublesome. With the new regulation coming into effect in ten months, users whose batteries fail can buy a new one for a few dozen dollars and replace it at home, continuing to use their phones without constantly buying new devices—saving a lot of money.
​​Of course, redesigning involves costs. Some worry that manufacturers might pass these costs onto consumers by raising prices. But in Europe, strict price regulation and fierce competition make it difficult to significantly increase prices.
​​More importantly, this regulation isn’t just about Europe. Today’s phone manufacturing relies on a global supply chain. Manufacturers can’t produce separate lines just for Europe, so it’s very likely that all phones worldwide will need to be redesigned to allow easy battery replacement.
​​Previously, the EU unified the Type-C port, and now they’re regulating the battery—both are about using market access rights to push the industry to change inconvenient practices. Products should not only look good and perform well but also consider how they can be repaired after a few years and how environmentally friendly they are.
​​While these changes may cause headaches for brands, in the long run, they are genuinely beneficial for ordinary users and can reduce electronic waste. As technology develops, it ultimately comes back to making devices durable, affordable, and long-lasting for everyday people.
​​Do you think mandatory user-replaceable batteries are progress or a hassle? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments.