Mobile phones with removable batteries can make a comeback: the European Union votes for them

After the USB Type-C charger, the European Union is still in the gap and now requires removable (and easily replaceable) batteries for all electronic products.

They were much lower in 2022, but the trend has been declining for a few years already, and only 9 smartphones with removable batteries were launched in 2021, which some The European Union doesn’t seem to like it very much from an environmental point of view and sustainability.

In any case, we are not going to discover America because of this Something that was already announced from BrusselsAnd it is the terms of the standard that require USB-C to be implemented as the only charging connector for any electronic product sold. old continentThey are already expected from the European Commission More rules to extend the useful life of our devices And thus try to limit electronic waste.

And we already have the first one here, as our friend from the reason xda-developersIt seems that EU technicians are already working with it New rules about batterieswhich should be User replaceable Thus ensuring that the most delicate components of a mobile device can Easily replaced without going to technical service And without the need to consider smartphone changes.

As is clear, For now we are only talking about laptops and smartphonesdon’t give wearable Or fit the device with a difficult opening or a complicated design for the battery, and we don’t know either How will it affect the terminal design?But the EU seems serious about making our electronic devices more sustainable products

We say this because smartphones have become the ultimate Metal sandwich with glass and construction unibody That should be retouched Absolutely, would definitely take it again Plastic materials, back covers or odd modular designs Like that LG G5 and friends that fell under its own weight.

Do we really want or want our precious and pristine smartphones to be exchanged for a new design polycarbonate back cover that allows access to the battery? Perhaps a slot for a nano-SIM-like battery would allow most ‘top’ smartphones to adopt standards without undermining their design.

Be that as it may, the fact is that without going to specific devices or products, it seems The general idea of ​​the European Commission is that all types of batteries sold in Europe should be easy to remove and replaceProvides consumers with much more information about their product’s battery Labels and QR codes Which will show capacity, performance, durability, chemical composition and available recycling and replacement options.

The new regulations will establish something Minimum levels of recycled materials Required for batteries manufactured and sold in Europe, a minimum of 16% recycled cobalt, 85% lead, 6% lithium and 6% nickel are identified. This point is interesting, without a doubt, that Meanwhile the production phase will force a more circular economy modelWithout involving the user himself.

Will we see modular designs like the LG G5 again?

to stay Many details to polish And it’s many months before legislation, though there’s already talk of implementing the new regulations The durability of our car batteriesStarting or lighting in conventional cars as well as energy savers in EVs or personal mobility vehicles, Any other electronic product that includes a battery of any composition.

There will be manufacturers Minimum 42 months to adapt to standards Once the law is passed, so will the challenge of changing your design An acceptable term where solutions must be thought out and implemented Allows easy replacement of a battery in any product.

It’s going to be fun to see how the market takes it What solutions do Samsung, Apple and the rest of the giants adopt? So as not to penalize the design and/or materials on your device.