User-replaceable batteries are coming back in a big way
The European Union has implemented new regulations requiring portable electronic devices to feature user-replaceable batteries. These mandates aim to improve product longevity, repairability, and environmental sustainability.
Why it matters
This legislation forces a major shift in smartphone design, potentially ending the industry-standard practice of sealed, non-removable batteries.
This is The Stepback , a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more news about gadgets and smartphones, follow Dominic Preston . The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here . How it started In 2023, the European Union agreed on two landmark pieces of legislation mandating how portable tech products with batteries must be designed, aiming to improve longevity, repairability, and recyclability. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 came into force last year and applies specifically to smartphones and tablets, while Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 takes effect next year … Read the full story at The Verge.
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