9To5Mac analysis: Apple may maintain existing battery design to comply with EU regulations

The European Council passed a new regulation on July 15, stipulating that smartphone batteries must be user-removable and replaceable. The decision attracted widespread attention, with many speculating that major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, would have to make significant changes to their battery designs or even consider returning to removable designs.

According to the analysis of foreign media 9To5Mac, at least in the short term, smartphone manufacturers like Apple are fully capable of maintaining existing products while complying with new EU regulations. Integrated battery design. Under the regulations, existing removable batteries in devices must be user-removable and replaceable by 2027. Analysts believe Apple may argue that its existing "self-service repair program" already meets regulatory requirements.

According to the new regulations, Apple only needs to expand the "self-repair program" to all 27 EU member states and its complete product range to meet the requirements of the regulations. Considering that the regulation will not take effect until 2027 at the earliest, Apple has enough time to implement this plan.

However, a former iFixit employee pointed out that despite the regulation being 129 pages long, the concept of "easily replaceable" is not clearly defined throughout the document. This also gives some mobile phone manufacturers a certain degree of flexibility, because the integrated battery design can provide a thinner, lighter and more waterproof user experience. Manufacturers such as Apple will naturally strive to maintain the existing mobile phone battery design and try their best to oppose any changes to it. Revise. It’s worth noting that some European iPhone users said they would rather keep the existing battery design, calling the EU regulation “too ridiculous.”

Analysts finally pointed out that if the worst happens, Apple can also choose to continue arguing with the EU through litigation for several years. Even if it loses the lawsuit, Apple is likely to provide free special repair tools and other alternatives. Meet EU regulatory requirements. This will buy Apple more time to adapt to the new regulations and take corresponding measures.

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