And to debunk the canard about replaceable batteries preventing phones from being waterproof: the Samsung S5 was waterproof and had a replaceable battery, as did decades of police and marine walkie talkies and GPS, and a century of outdoor flashlights. I would accept that it costs a little bit of space inside the phone, interfering with Steve Jobs' dream of a paper thin phone the size of a cigarette lighter. But today, Jobs is gone and people like big phones, so it is fine. I would even be happy with a thick phone powered by a couple of 18650's instead of a pouch cell.
Note that per the article, it is ok for replacing the battery to require simple tools (e.g. a small screwdriver). So that makes weather sealing even easier, since you can put a gasket around the battery door and tighten the door down with a screw. That is how my old AA-powered Garmin GPS works, more or less, though you don't need tools to undo the screw.
that _would_ be too thick for most people I think (think of average pocket sizes), but a little bit of extra thickness would probably be accepted judging by the thickness of some phone cases
Myself I am a fan of the NiMH rechargeables in AA and AAA format. My dental hygienist wanted me to get an electric toothbrush, I found the bottom-of-the-line model that takes AA batteries for about $15 less than a model with an integrated battery which is totally easy to use with NiMH batteries.
that I took out of mothballs. These had proprietary battery packs that can be replaced with AA's or AAA's, I found the old battery packs had gone bad but breathed new life in them with NiMH batteries.
FTA: “By 2024, portable batteries in appliances, such as smartphones, and batteries for LMT must be designed so that consumers and independent operators can easily and safely remove them themselves, MEPs say”
I do not read anything about replacing batteries there.
However, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220202IP... is clear, saying “By 2024, portable batteries in appliances, such as smartphones, and batteries for LMT must be designed for easy and safe removal and replacement by consumers or independent operators”
Now, the question is how to interpret that “or” in that latest sentence. I think it leaves open the option to have devices that consumers cannot service on their own, but require help from an independent operator.
I wouldn't. My iPhone has been caseless for ~3 years. Dings, falls, 3 drownings, small kids just brushing it against pavement, etc. It's feels indestructible other than few scratches that you need to look for. Battery can be replaced by specialist in 30 minutes or so.
Wasn't it waterproof it already would've wasted 3 batteries + 3 devices.
(Obviously not but OP's argument is moot anyways as waterproofing and a replaceable battery are not mutually exclusive, we already had phones and other devices with both)
Note that per the article, it is ok for replacing the battery to require simple tools (e.g. a small screwdriver). So that makes weather sealing even easier, since you can put a gasket around the battery door and tighten the door down with a screw. That is how my old AA-powered Garmin GPS works, more or less, though you don't need tools to undo the screw.