Leak: Amazon Kindle e-readers get replaceable batteries

A new EU regulation stipulates that smartphones and tablets sold in the European Union from February 2027 must be equipped with a battery that can be replaced by the end user without special tools. For this reason, Amazon is apparently already preparing new Kindle models with easily replaceable battery.

This is because a user of the MobileRead forum was already able to find references to this new functionality in Kindle firmware version 5.19.4. Among other things, the firmware contains a new warning that appears when a third-partybattery is inserted and warns of possible consequences for performance and battery life, while in this case the charging speed is limited. Even more exciting is that the firmware contains references to a "Battery Replacement Kit", which can also be purchased by end users.

Even a small design adjustment should be enough to meet the requirements of the European Union. Because as the iFixit teardown of the Kindle Paperwhite ($159 on Amazon) shows, the battery is glued into the housing, but connected with a cable instead of soldered. Opening the housing is also difficult without special tools. With removable adhesive strips and a screwed back, Kindle repairs could be much quicker and easier. Combined with the option to buy official replacement batteries, such a change would significantly extend the life of a Kindle e-reader.