this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2023
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All smartphones, including iPhones, must have replaceable batteries by 2027 in the EU::undefined

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (5 children)

You can already replace your own iPhone battery without any technical expertise. I hope the law is more specific than that, because there are many things OEMs can do to comply and still make it a giant pain in the ass to do.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 1 year ago (3 children)

You can already replace your own iPhone battery without any technical expertise.

Press x to doubt. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[–] WhatAmLemmy 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've replaced multiple iPhone batteries with only a YouTube video. The problem is that the glue and placement can be a complete pain in the ass and user replacement voids warranty. Hopefully the law specifically states that user replacement should have a certain level of ease and does not void warranty.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I believe it says the battery has to be replaceable by the end-user without any kind of tools or heat.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Common screw drivers are ok, or they include the specialised screw driver in the package. Heat is a no go though, which makes me very happy.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

According to a draft version of the ecodesign regulation on the EU’s website, batteries should be replaceable “with no tool, a tool or set of tools that is supplied with the product or spare part, or basic tools.”

Source

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So if I understand this correctly:

  • plastic cover that can be removed with fingernails: ✅
  • cover with phillips screws: ✅
  • cover with hex screws: Maybe ✅? How "Basic" are Hex screws nowadays?
  • cover with Apple certified™️ screws: ❌
  • cover with Superglue: ❌
[–] Afiefh 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hex screws are pretty standard. I'm not a lawyer, but I'd imagine they would be acceptable.

That being said, I never understood the reason to have 5 different types of screws around. Can we just have one type for everything?

[–] T156 2 points 1 year ago

Can we just have one type for everything?

That's how we get a sixth type of screw.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

The problem is that the glue and placement can be a complete pain in the ass and user replacement voids warranty.

All of that sounds pretty shitty and unreasonable

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 year ago (3 children)
[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

And this is something we don't want. Battery should be replaced with no special tools other than regular screwdriver or simillar.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You don't seem to know it, but you're arguing against your point that you "need no technical expertise"

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

They provided a kit and step by step instructions. It remains to be seen how they handle it, but don’t be surprised if they argue they already comply if that’s how the language of the law is written.

[–] focusedkiwibear 0 points 1 year ago

You don’t seem to know it, but nebulous jargon like ‘technical expertise’ can be applied to anything like using a microwave so Apple includes instructions. Not seeing how this invalidates their point

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The tagline is literally “I’m starting to think Apple doesn’t want us to repair them”.

also having watched SnazzyLabs do this swap, it’s complicated and you’ll need to contact Apple to deal with code changes.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

And I literally said in my comment that it’s a pain in the ass. That’s not the point, what “technical expertise” means is.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Can you, though? No, you can’t. Its really hard to get right and super easy to fuck up. Source: Me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

So is changing out any part on your car. It remains to be seen how this is applied.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Most people can't put on a screen protector properly. I wouldn't perhaps go as far as claiming replacing iPhone battery takes no technical expertise. It's not hard but not quite easy either. In the case of iPhone there's also that even if you do it properly the device still detects it's not the original Apple approved battey so they limit functions on your phone such as battery health, true tone etc. New MacBooks does this aswell.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

They probably need additional legislation to stop companies from locking down products when non own parts are used.

[–] FlyingSquid 3 points 1 year ago

With my shaky hands and clumsiness? I'd kill my phone just by touching the innards.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Technical expertise includes really basic things like being comfortable using a screwdriver on delicate equipment. Lots of people lack that level of expertise.