Mobile phone batteries to become removable again

[Aftab]

Since companies like Apple and Samsung won't make separate models for the EU and the rest of the world, it's safe to expect that from 2027 we'll see phones with replaceable or removable batteries everywhere.

[Navya]

So does that mean no waterproofing?

[Arvind]

The Indian government is unlikely to push such pro‑consumer rules; they seem more interested in forcing brands to use the Sanchar Sathi app and bind SIMs.

[Cinemapicha]

I don't mind a non‑removable battery; I've never faced any battery issues with the phones I've used.

[Prem]

The EU has the muscle, and being a big market probably works in its favour.

[Alok]

I'm fine with a non‑removable battery, but I'm curious how Apple will manage the IP rating then.

[Shyam]

Big W by the EU

[Siddharth]

Tim Cook

[Harish]

Any phone with fewer than 1000 charge cycles should be considered a crime.

[Pankaj]

Don't take the headline at face value. As a comment on r/GooglePixel explained:

According to the EU regulation, a battery is 'readily removable' only if you can take it out with ordinary tools, without needing special tools (unless they're provided for free), heat or solvents. That means users should be able to replace the battery themselves, but it may still involve unscrewing parts or dealing with adhesives, not just popping off a back cover. So this doesn't bring back the easy‑swap batteries of the early phones.

The full regulation is much longer and also covers things like charge‑cycle limits and water resistance. In short, nothing major is changing – most phones already meet the rules.

[Bharat]

I think 'removable batteries' doesn't mean the old Nokia‑style swap. Modern phones have fixed batteries to allow fast charging and maintain heat control, plus water resistance. If they go back to a fully removable design, we might lose fast‑charging and waterproof features.

Probably they just mean you'll be able to take the phone to a service centre and have the battery replaced.

Just my guess – I could be wrong.