In addition to requiring the sale of small handheld devices within the countryA unified charging interface must be adoptedThis forced Apple to switch from Lightning, which has been used for a long time in iPhone, to USB-C. Last year, the European Union also passed the regulation on handheld devices and light electric vehicles.New methods must be able to easily replace batteriesFinally, it seems that Apple will have to readjust its battery design.
The new EU regulations primarily require that newly released consumer electronics products, including handheld devices and light vehicles like electric scooters and electric bicycles, feature easily replaceable batteries. While not explicitly requiring all consumer electronics to feature removable batteries like previous mobile phones, the EU's primary goal is to make battery replacement easier, preventing the need to discard electronic devices simply due to battery failure. This will allow more consumer electronics to continue functioning by replacing battery components.
So from The Information websiteGet the messageIt is said that Apple is currently conceiving a new battery design that will allow users or repair technicians to more easily replace iPhone battery components. It is expected that the adhesive can be peeled off by electrical conduction, making it easier to remove the battery that was originally firmly fixed with adhesive.
However, in addition to the need to adjust the battery adhesive removal method, the body disassembly method may also need to change accordingly, such as avoiding designs that require special tools to disassemble.
Considering that this EU regulation will be implemented from 2027, Apple should have some time to prepare. A recent Apple white paper also mentioned that more third-party parts will be available for iPhone product repairs, and that software restrictions will not affect the user experience after repairs with third-party parts. This may also mean that Apple will accelerate the adjustment of its product design and related practices in response to the new EU law. Therefore, it is possible to see Apple adopt a new battery design in the iPhone earlier to facilitate subsequent repairs and replacements.
Of course, in addition to Apple, many mobile phone manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Huawei must also comply with the new EU law that is about to be implemented. Therefore, the focus of future mobile phone designs will be more on sustainability and easy replacement. As mobile phones continue to pursue the trend of being thinner and more durable, this will obviously bring greater challenges to mobile phone design.
As for this market trend, it is obvious that the earlier investment in parts that can be easily replaced by consumers is a response to the market trend.FairphoneMore beneficial.
