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The battery is removable, you just need a screwdriver. This seems like a bad thing, any changes to make battery replacements significantly easier will almost c

The battery is removable, you just need a screwdriver. This seems like a bad thing, any changes to make battery replacements significantly easier will almost certainly come at a significant cost. And in any case, it’s already really easy to replace the battery if you can get your hands on one.

dfox 7y ago
I think you kind of hint at interesting point: given how last few generation of iPhones are constructed (and that most current android phones take similar approach) it would be actually not that hard to make battery truly user replacable without any form factor compromises. Just replace the two screw-like pins with something that can be removed with some sane tool (think SIM ejector) and not glue the battery in place inside...
- ryanlol 7y ago
  Or just ship the screwdriver with the phones? Unfortunately users performing their own battery swaps will tend to lead to compromised waterproofing, which doesn’t seem great.
mtmail 7y ago
This guide suggests 44 steps. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+11+Battery+Replacement/127450 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+11+Battery+Replacement/1... I think one could use a/the screwdriver as opener or instead of the tweezers lately but replacing the battery is not something everybody can do. Compared to how easy it was 10 years ago to swap a battery.
- alkonaut 7y ago
  Everybody who buys a $500-1500 phone can pay $20 at a corner shop to change a battery. A battery hatch to make it completely "end user replacable" won't make any difference.
  - petecox 7y ago
    At least here in Australia, corner shops doing repairs are a dying breed - there's no money in it once you factor in rent and electricity and wages. An online search replacing a popular Samsung was $AU99. My current 3 year old phone is also a dying breed where when the time comes, I can buy a genuine Moto battery for $AU16 delivered and replace it myself in under 30 seconds.
- raverbashing 7y ago
  And iPhones are usually ok. Some other phones need to be taken completely apart for a battery replacement
mattkevan 7y ago
It’s not easy at all. While I successfully managed to replace the battery in my 7+, it was a total pain in the proverbial. You need three different, weird, screwdrivers, have to keep track of many different tiny almost-identical screws (say goodbye to your motherboard if you get them mixed up), and prise off a very fragile connector. That’s aside from the fact the battery is glued so firmly that there’s a good chance it’ll go up like a firework while trying to get it unstuck. Possible, yes. Really easy? Hell no.

dfox 7y ago

I think you kind of hint at interesting point: given how last few generation of iPhones are constructed (and that most current android phones take similar approach) it would be actually not that hard to make battery truly user replacable without any form factor compromises. Just replace the two screw-like pins with something that can be removed with some sane tool (think SIM ejector) and not glue the battery in place inside...

ryanlol 7y ago
Or just ship the screwdriver with the phones? Unfortunately users performing their own battery swaps will tend to lead to compromised waterproofing, which doesn’t seem great.

mtmail 7y ago

This guide suggests 44 steps. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+11+Battery+Replacement/127450 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+11+Battery+Replacement/1... I think one could use a/the screwdriver as opener or instead of the tweezers lately but replacing the battery is not something everybody can do. Compared to how easy it was 10 years ago to swap a battery.

alkonaut 7y ago
Everybody who buys a $500-1500 phone can pay $20 at a corner shop to change a battery. A battery hatch to make it completely "end user replacable" won't make any difference.
- petecox 7y ago
  At least here in Australia, corner shops doing repairs are a dying breed - there's no money in it once you factor in rent and electricity and wages. An online search replacing a popular Samsung was $AU99. My current 3 year old phone is also a dying breed where when the time comes, I can buy a genuine Moto battery for $AU16 delivered and replace it myself in under 30 seconds.
raverbashing 7y ago
And iPhones are usually ok. Some other phones need to be taken completely apart for a battery replacement

mattkevan 7y ago

It’s not easy at all. While I successfully managed to replace the battery in my 7+, it was a total pain in the proverbial. You need three different, weird, screwdrivers, have to keep track of many different tiny almost-identical screws (say goodbye to your motherboard if you get them mixed up), and prise off a very fragile connector. That’s aside from the fact the battery is glued so firmly that there’s a good chance it’ll go up like a firework while trying to get it unstuck. Possible, yes. Really easy? Hell no.