Why Smartphone Makers Stopped Using Removable Batteries, And Why They're Making A Comeback

Key Points:

• The Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro and Fairphone 6 are current examples of phones with easily replaceable batteries, designed for durability and longer device lifespan.
• Modern smartphones tend to have sealed, non-removable batteries to enable thinner designs, use premium materials like glass and aluminum, and provide better water and dust resistance.
• Starting February 2027, a new EU law will require phones and tablets sold in the bloc to have removable batteries accessible with standard tools, aiming to reduce electronic waste and extend device usability.
• The regulation allows batteries to be secured with screws and requires companies to provide tools if specialized removal is needed, so removable batteries may not always be user-friendly like older models.
• Devices meeting specific battery longevity and water resistance standards, such as recent iPhones, may be exempt from the removable battery requirement if replacement batteries are provided to professional repairers instead of end users.