EU regulations to make iPhone battery pull-tabs extinct by 2025

Repair technicians and enthusiasts are predicted to encounter a stark departure from the usual expanse of matte black on opening their new top-end iPhone from 2024. Apple is thought to replace the signature branded battery cover with a shiny new housing in its upcoming 15-series upgrades.

The metallic shell is projected to be present in the 16 Pro Max and maybe the Pro, but not the vanilla 16 or 16 Plus. It was originally thought to have been developed in order to prevent more overheating scandals; however, The Information has just offered an alternative theory.

The publication asserts that Apple will in fact adopt the enclosure in future iPhones in order to comply with the new EU directive that stipulate that all smartphone manufacturers must make their batteries more removable by non-authorized technician means.

The new requirements come into effect from 2025, although Apple is expected to start adapting to them from this year. Apparently, it entails a new mechanism by which the shrouded battery should be capable of popping out more readily in response to a small electrical impulse.

Then again, The Information did not specify which "easily accessible tools" are supposed to help the user achieve this so-called "electrically induced adhesive debonding". In addition, there is no evidence that there will be any less screen and/or rear glass glue (or any fewer fiddly proprietary screws) to deal with beforehand in any case.

Buy a 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max renewed for $1,047 today (June 30, 2024) on Amazon.