Comments on: EU directive could change iPhone battery design

Regulators are considering a directive that would force cell phone makers to offer batteries that are "readily replaceable," which is not the case with Apple's iPhone.

[Thomas, David]

By enforcing such a "directive" they would be increasing bio-hazardous waste to be indiscriminately deposited where ever. Manufacturers that control manage their own disposals have a less impact.

Just my two cents. But I think this one is worth a LOT more than two cents. How many mobile devices are out there again?

[Thomas, David]

umm not bio-hazardous, but hazardous waste none the less.

[loose_screw]

I know a lot of lazy ipod owners that just chuck their obsolete/dead ipods in the trash instead of using the free apple recycling anyway, so this directive would have no impact either way. I take the used rechargeable batteries from my electronics and take them to my city's hazardous waste collection events. It all depends on the consumer, but giving them more options is always good.

[askgees]

Sorry but your argument doesn't hold water. Every cell phone has ability to open and replace the battery except the iphone. So by forcing Apple to make phones that don't require consumers to mail it back, wait 4-6 weeks (with out a cell phone) or iPod until Apple ships it back is a victory for the consumer. However I bet you Apple comes out saying that they'll stop selling the iphone in Europe which is what they said when France changed the laws regarding music downloads. It's clear Apple only cares about Apple not the consumer.

[Thomas, David]

@askgees

Just because everyone is using consumer disposable batteries, does not mean my argument holds water. In fact, quite the contrary ... I believe there should be some enforced recycling of these types of products, especially for the batteries. The iPhone batteries aren't wearing out at record paces. I still use the original iPhone that came out the day it was issued. No battery replacement, or marked decrease in battery life yet.

Since they isn't a huge outcry of dead iPhone batteries, your argument about the consumer being harmed is entirely hypothetical in nature. If the batteries had shortened lives, and were failing across the board, an argument for consumer protection would be valid. Given the simple fact that isn't happening, invalidates your cry for consumer protection.

A lot of people running over a cliff does not make it a valid thing to do. Your argument is simply that -> "They are going that way, so let's go to.". That's a limited view.

[loose_screw]

Looks like a potential loss of revenue for Apple if they have to change their design to comply with the EU regulation, but a win for the consumer and environment. Sounds good to me.

[Thomas, David]

Please explain how it is a win for consumer and environment. More importantly, where did that leap come in about how it would be better for the environment.

[loose_screw]

Simple: it's easier to mail a battery than an entire device, so by allowing me to remove the battery increases the likelihood that I will send off a battery for proper disposal. I remember the first Sonicare toothbrushes that I owned. It was not easy to take the battery out of the handle to dispose of, so I just chucked the whole thing in the trash rather than deal with taking it apart or finding boxes and going to the post office to mail the thing.

I can deal with taking a thin battery out of a piece of electronics and putting it in a standard envelope then dropping it in the drive-through USPS blue mailboxes. If I have to put the entire device into a bulky box, then go into the post office and wait in line to hand it off to a clerk to mail, forget it.

[loose_screw]

In addition, it's a win because if Apple offered user replaceable batteries (and god forbid, expansion memory slots), then I may not feel as compelled to throw away my 8GB nano when the battery starts to die. If I can replace the battery so that it runs as long as it did when new (WITHOUT having to make a trip to the Apple store or post office to mail it back to Apple), then I would be more likely to keep using my nano instead of adding it to the landfill and buying another one. The same goes for the memory expansion slot. But then, it wouldn't help Apple's bottom line, would it? ;-)

[askgees]

What else would you expect from Apple? They took this right out of the automobile manufacture handbook. Does it really surprise anyone?

[k2dave]

I always took Apple's non-user-replaceable battery as a form of build in obsolescence. Yes I know it is technically possible, and users do manage to replace it, but most consumers IMHO will just buy another ipod/iphone as it is difficult and/or cumbersome, and the new ones have greater capacity or other bells and whistles thereby maximizing profit for Apple.

Apple seems to make very good very unique products, usually well tested and very user friendly, but, at least for portables, put in some limit to it's useful life - usually by this battery issue - sometimes by others, like starting out a new product with less then optimal memory (iphone 4GB model was functionally obsolete on the day it was introduced, but people had to have it, and many rebought the upgraded 8GB model soon after doubling the profit). In their position as the far and away leader they can afford this, but it is getting more and more obvious.

I also wonder about the iphone's screen. I use a flipphone partly to protect the screen, I wonder just how the iphone's will really hold up over time in that respect.

[loose_screw]

I agree. Built-in obsolescence, while good for Apple, is not good for the consumer's wallet or the landfill.

[byronkim]

Personally, with all of my previous phones I never had or swapped for the battery. Carrying the extra battery was always a pain. It was pretty easy to make sure that I was in a position to charge the phone when I needed to. Yes it would be nice if the battery lasted to for days on end but the iPhone gets me through the day so for me I wouldn't have invested in a new battery anyways.
Also, my interest in a particular phone never outlasted the battery's life expectancy so I've never had to replace a old battery.
I think Apple understood that 'most' people view the battery issue similarly. And when considering the added weight and bulk of a removable battery mechanism, I'm glad they made the choice that they did. Gives more room for a bigger battery

Regarding the environmental impact of removable batteries, I agree David Thomas that the end would result could be a negative impact with more batteries being indiscriminately discarded. We need to be moving AWAY from more disposability.

(BTW, I also agree that part of what is also going on here is a built-in obsolescence, but honestly what lasts forever anymore. I think as far as modern products go, Apple's last longer than most. And I bet if you took a look at how long people actually hang on to a phone, the obsolescence point for most is moot.)

[k2dave]

There is some difference between a iphone and other cellphones. iphones are multi use devices, that serve as wireless internet devices, video game player, and music player, also people invest quite a bit more then a normal cellphone. So just because you didn't need to replace a battery in past cellphones doesn't mean that the same rules apply for iphones. When the battery is about to go on a normal cellphone, it's usually time to upgrade, many times for free (to re-up the contract), so it rarely is a issue, I'm not so sure people who have layed out so much money would be so willing to 1: pay again for the new iphone, or 2: 'downgrade' to a normal cellphone.

[Earl Benzar]

The EU has it backwards. By sending a phone into the shop, the batteries are replaced in an eco friendly manner rather than dumped into a landfill.

[loose_screw]

It really depends on the consumer. Many of them will toss a 2 year old phone into the trash and get a new one, rather than send it back to the manufacturer, simply because it's much more convenient.

So if you make it easier for consumers to do the right thing (i.e., offer curbside recycling or widely available battery collection locations), then you increase the chance that people will keep hazardous waste out of the trash.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Boy , this nimrod has become an Apple apologist. Keep drinking the Kupertino-Koolaid

[mpitogo]

That's right, any device with a removable battery can be easily dumped where it shouldn't go. I know because I try to do the right thing but it takes more work to push removable batteries to a recycling center than to just toss it in the trash. Look at all the AA and AAA batteries, do all you folks proactively collect them and then bring it to a proper disposal center? or do you think one or two here won't hurt the landfill?

[loose_screw]

mpitogo, is it worse for the landfill to toss just the battery, or the entire device? If Apple makes the battery replaceable, then it increases the odds that consumers will discard only the dead battery and keep using their device by putting in a new battery, rather than chucking the whole thing into the landfill because they can't be bothered to do the right thing.

If a consumer is going to be irresponsible, then try to minimize the damage they will do. Either way, you're not going to make a responsible consumer out of someone by making the battery unreplaceable.

[sythara]

I completely agree. While I am not a fan of Apple or environmental movement it makes perfect sence.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Everything Apple makes is designed so you will haveto/want to replace it shortly. Their products never have memory slots , batteries replaceable. I can get so much more bang for my buck when I build my own gaming PC with the plethora of parts at Fry`s. One of many reasons I steer clear of AAPL. They are a disposable company , much like the "Sharper Image" , that does poorly in tough economic times.
AAPL has lost over 50% of it`s market cap. in just a few short weeks.
BTW , I vote for Ron Popeil to replace Jobs as they are very similar.

[loose_screw]

I agree. I love Apple's design and UI, but there's no need to rope their users into forced upgrades every time they come out with a bigger iPod. Their superior design is sufficient to entice consumers to upgrade, IMO.

[Vegaman_Dan]

This movement seems to have the iPhone targeted directly in their sites. No other cell phone maker has non-removable batteries. The problem with making Apple do it is that it allows other companies to make batteries, or even better ones and that cuts into Apple's profits directly.

I would like it if they had separate batteries. For every cell phone I have ever had, I have always bought a second battery to keep with me on trips when a charger wasn't available. With a power hungry device like the iPhone, this is a great benefit to consumers.

But that isn't the way Apple works. To allow users to replace their own batteries means losing control of the product.

[loose_screw]

How unfortunate for Apple. I have an old Motorola phone, and I carry spare batteries with me in case I'm not near a charger, such as when traveling or vacationing. I can't imagine the frustration I'd feel if I couldn't replace the battery. This has been one of the reasons I've stayed away from the iPhone, as nice as it is.

[BillQuapp]

I like this idea. Every user should be able to change his/her battery on any battery powered device. Anything else is a rip off. My Oral B tooth brush is a good example of the bad policy of allowing non-replaceable batteries. In that case, they claim the device is at the end of the useful life when the battery no longer holds a charge. I would like to make that determination.

So, while the Oral B is a good product, the sealed battery guarantees that the tooth brush, battery and all, will go into the landfill. It is much easier to keep a small container of expended batteries that dead appliances.

Three cheers for a good policy change.

[Perry_Clease]

The EU sounds sounds at times like an anal-retentive and out of control condo board. Yeah I am an Apple Fan Boy that doesn't give the EU a pass for being overly controlling at times.

[jameskatt]

The EU is so stupid. If they want removable batteries, they should require it of ALL portable electronic devices. I would love to see a removable battery on all electric shavers, for example.