It looks like the EU (European Union) is planning to bring back an old essential feature that has almost completely disappeared from the smartphone industry. New rules regarding the return of user-replaceable batteries are in effect.

EU wants to bring back replaceable batteries in the next five years

The European Parliament recently approved a new rule based on the manufacture, design and recycling of all batteries sold in the region. This new rule is not only for electric vehicles, but also for smartphones, tablets, etc. The same goes for portable batteries for mobile devices. This will require manufacturers to make design changes that allow users to remove and replace batteries themselves. This also matches one of our previous reports on the return of removable batteries.

Currently, the removable battery design has been replaced by sealed battery packs, which require specialized tools and knowledge to remove. The news also comes after the EU pushed for USB Type-C standardization and forced Apple to comply with the requirements for its future iPhones and other products. This move aims to facilitate the recovery and recycling of old batteries and reduce the overall volume of waste.

This new rule will come into effect at the beginning of 2027, but the EU may delay it due to the manufacturer’s ability to make such a major redesign. Keep in mind that waterproof smartphones also help provide better protection from the elements and are seen as a cost-cutting tool for companies. Time will tell how the various OEMs will react to this decision, so stay tuned for more updates.