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In recent years, smartphones have become increasingly thinner, more powerful and more robust. At the same time, however, many devices have lost a feature that seemed obvious in the past: the ability to easily replace the battery. Now the European Union wants to change course. With the new EU Battery Regulation, manufacturers will have to design devices that are easier to repair and have replaceable batteries, introducing a change that will affect the entire technology sector in the coming years. But what does this legislation really mean? And most importantly: will smartphones with removable covers like those of the past return?

The new European battery regulation

The main reference is the Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, approved by the European Union with the aim of reducing e-waste and fostering a more circular economy. The regulation will come into full effect from 18 February 2027 and will affect smartphones, tablets and numerous portable electronic devices. According to the regulation, batteries will have to be designed so that they can be removed and replaced using common tools, without resorting to complex procedures, solvents or specialised equipment. The objective is clear:

• increase the lifetime of the devices;
• reduce electronic obsolescence;
• facilitate repairs;
• decrease the environmental impact of technological products.

Goodbye sealed smartphones?

Not really. Many users have interpreted the legislation as an immediate return to smartphones with a “hand-held” removable battery, as was the case years ago. In reality, the situation is more nuanced. EU does not necessarily oblige manufacturers to make devices with removable back covers. The main requirement concerns the ease of battery replacement and the possibility of repairs without proprietary tools or invasive processes. In practice, a smartphone will still be able to have a premium, water-resistant design as long as the battery is accessible without destructive or overly complex operations.

A step forward for the “right to redress”

The new regulation relates directly to the concept of “Right to Repair”. For years, many smartphones have been designed with components that are difficult to replace: sticky batteries, unaffordable spare parts and often expensive interventions. This led many users to change their phones even when the problem was simply the battery life. With the new European rules, manufacturers will have to:

• ensure greater availability of spare parts;
• make repair manuals accessible;
• encourage interventions also by independent technicians.

This is an important change not only for consumers, but also for the technology repair market.

More durable smartphones and less e-waste

One of the most interesting aspects of the legislation concerns sustainability. Millions of tonnes of electronic waste are produced every year, and smartphones account for a significant part of this problem. Often a device is replaced not because it is obsolete, but simply because the battery no longer provides adequate performance. Europe therefore aims to incentivise longer-lasting devices, reducing the need to buy new smartphones with increasing frequency. In addition, new batteries will also have to meet stricter requirements in terms of durability:

• at least the 80% of capacity after hundreds of charging cycles;
• greater transparency on technical characteristics;
• better collection and recycling processes.

How the design of smartphones will change

The new rules could profoundly influence the design of future devices. Manufacturers will have to strike a balance between:

• premium aesthetics;
• impermeability;
• subtlety;
• ease of repair.

This could lead to new design solutions, with smartphones designed to be more modular and easier to maintain over time. It cannot be ruled out that some brands will introduce innovative systems for quick battery replacement, while maintaining elegant designs and premium materials.

Will the future of technology be more repairable?

The direction taken by the European Union seems clear: technology should become more durable, repairable and environmentally friendly. After the introduction of the universal USB-C charger, the topic of replaceable batteries represents a further step towards a more sustainable and less fast-obsolescence-oriented technology ecosystem. For users, it could mean longer-lasting devices and lower maintenance costs. For manufacturers, however, it will be a new design challenge that will change the way smartphones of the future are developed.