All smartphones and iPhones, must have replaceable batteries by 2027 in the EU
L: https://mashable.com/article/replaceable-batteries-smartphones-iphones-2027
C: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36736222
posted on 2023.07.15 at 08:55:20 (c=2, p=7)
@hkrn except - there's exceptions. If the device is meant to be waterproof - exempt. If the device has a sufficiently high quality battery (it's defined in the statute) - exempt. It's likely the iPhone of 2027 will qualify on both counts.
@Biggles @hkrn That exception is actually a huge problem. The definition of the battery solely lies in it claiming a certain amount of capacity, which ultimately a lot already do and, more importantly, so do some of the lowest quality, cheapest batteries. I worry very much they'll just intentionally use bad-faith battery sellers in their designs that lie about capacity and then use it as an excuse to not make it replaceable.
@nazokiyoubinbou @hkrn
This *is* Apple we're talking about. It's a luxury brand. I guarantee you they're on top of their suppliers like a ton of bricks. Will others do that? Only if they're stupid - it's trivial to sample and test phone batteries, even non-replaceable, to check compliance. In fact - the fact that you can get rip-off mislabeled junk batteries is a solid reason to prefer the one the manufacturer shipped with; you know who to blame if there's issues.
@Biggles @hkrn I don't think it will just be Apple by any means. I can especially imagine Samsung doing it. But the sad thing is, this "luxury brand" is the brand that countless people insist upon using no matter what -- despite the fact they get ripped off from doing so. Even if it can be proven they pull a stunt like that, the actual process of litigation/etc would be arduous at best. Especially if it ends up being one of those things that require individuals to take them to task.
@nazokiyoubinbou @Biggles @hkrn
ripped off? I just changed my phone from a 7 to a 13. And only reason I got a new one is because I dropped it hard (long story).
I think 5-6 years out of a cell phone is pretty good, and I could have used longer. My MacBooks usually last even more, currently using a 2018 and not looking into replacing it any time soon.
If you are buying a new model every year, then it is on you. The quality allows keeping them for a long time. Excellent value.
@FuckElon @nazokiyoubinbou @hkrn
To me, "ripped off" is a phone that only does security updates for two years, rather than the life of the phone. I used my 6s+ until it quite literally didn't have the cpu to keep up, with no battery replacements, easily 5 years. Relevant amusing graphic:
@Biggles @FuckElon @hkrn I agree on the security updates thing. That's a market issue, not an Apple versus others issue. My 2017 A5 (that is six years) has a LineageOS update waiting on it with the latest security patches right now though, so, like I said, it's a market thing. It still "has the CPU to keep up" because nothing was added to arbitrarily slow it down (though I could do so manually if I wanted.) It does need a new battery, but that's a different discussion (voltage/rates/etc.)
@Biggles @FuckElon @hkrn No, much more specifically, when I talk about ripping people off I refer to the entire business model Apple uses. They repackage old tech developed by others as if it were their innovation, slap a fashionable exterior on it, then charge 2x, even 3x the equivalent alternatives and make people think that's a good thing. They lock stuff down and arbitrarily limit people at every step. And tons of other anti-consumer practices.
@nazokiyoubinbou @Biggles @hkrn
Sure some practices are not great, but the problem is, the only real competition runs android, so... shall we get into Google's business model?
I don't care about old tech, I don't care about a pretty phone, but for me to get a google device, apple will have to sink wayyyy lower than that.
@FuckElon @Biggles @hkrn The thing about Android is it's *NOT* Google's business model. Google's business model is if you buy a stock Pixel device running stock services and buy into those services. The really neat thing about Android is you can actually get rid of all that or pick and mix whatever balance suits you best.
Also, I would find it humorous if it wasn't so bad that people flame Google for this stuff then support Apple doing the same stuff while also locking you in...
@FuckElon @Biggles @hkrn Now I personally strike a bit of a balance in my usage. I run LineageOS (an Android Open Source Project based OS) and I do use Google's services somewhat, but limit a lot of things like much of the tracking. It's not perfect, but allows me a good balance with less than what the typical Apple user allows through. Some people go really extreme though and use MicroG or even third party services (or even none at all) though
The cool thing is Android makes choice possible
@nazokiyoubinbou @Biggles @hkrn
Sure, and I have a linux desktop, but the reality is that anything that is not highly managed is not going to work for 97% of people.
It is one thing for some of us to climb on a high horse and yell "just use linux". Most people have no need or means for that. A phone that just works and can last you 6 year is a hell of a deal. I used to spend hours of tech support for my family until I bought them all macs and iphones. No more. That is worth a hell lot.
@nazokiyoubinbou @FuckElon @hkrn
We'll have to agree to disagree, as all I got out of that paragraph was "I've never used Apple products and actively ignore history"
@Biggles @FuckElon @hkrn How on Earth did you get *ANY* of that from what I just said? A claim like that absolutely requires explanation.
It goes both ways though. Your claims that Android can't do things that I just literally gave examples of it doing show you neither use it nor pay attention to its own history.
"Agree to disagree" is necessary sometimes, but let's not use it to mean anything other than that one side is stubbornly ignoring logic and reason in some cases.
@Biggles @FuckElon @hkrn I'm willing to backup my statement. Latest build for the 2017 Samsung A5 (LTE model) that I use can be downloaded here: https://download.lineageos.org/devices/a5y17lte/builds That is security patch dated July 5.
@nazokiyoubinbou @FuckElon @hkrn
It actually doesn't. I'm blocking you now.
@Biggles @nazokiyoubinbou @hkrn
My teen was using our old 5 until 2 years ago, when he got my husband's 6. Finally got a 13 for xmas last yea, but the 6 was fine.