Perhaps they should be. Even rechargeable batteries are consumables in the sense that they have a limited lifespan. When considering the lifespan of the produ

Perhaps they should be. Even rechargeable batteries are consumables in the sense that they have a limited lifespan. When considering the lifespan of the product as a whole, there is a reasonable expectation that the battery will need to be replaced. I would suggest that the proper replacement battery should be available to the consumer and the replacement process simplified to enable self-servicing. This scenario is quite different from design or manufacturing defects, where is is reasonable to expect the manufacturer (or a competent technician) to handle the repair. It is also quite different from abuse, where the user may inflict damage to virtually any component.