Removable smartphone batteries: what will change in the European Union from 2027

Back to the 2000s! From next year, smartphone batteries will have to be removable in the European Union. Here is everything you need to know.

In recent years, the European Union (EU) has been anything but idle when it comes to regulating technology. Online age verification, platform interoperability, app store monopolies and the mandatory USB-C port: lawmakers have introduced a series of measures to regulate a sector that had long been left to set its own rules.

This new regulation follows the same approach. From 18 February 2027, smartphone and tablet manufacturers selling devices in Europe will be required to fit removable batteries.

What the law will require in practice

In practical terms, batteries must be “easily removable and replaceable” by the end user. This does not necessarily mean a return to the clip-on back covers of the 2000s. Instead, devices will need to be opened without specialist tools or, where necessary, using tools supplied free of charge in the box. Brands will also have to ensure that replacement batteries remain available for seven years after a model is withdrawn from sale. Consumers must not be left without an option if their battery begins to lose performance.

According to our colleagues at 01.net, the legislation has two aims. The first is environmental: by extending the useful life of devices, the EU hopes to cut electronic waste and curb planned obsolescence. The second concerns the right to repair. Even without technical expertise, the average user should be able to replace a battery without going through an after-sales service.

Two conditions for an exemption

Some brands may nevertheless avoid this requirement, provided they meet two cumulative conditions. Firstly, the device must have at least IP67 certification, meaning it is protected against water and dust. Secondly, its battery must retain at least 80% of its capacity after 1,000 full charging cycles.

These demanding requirements broadly match the specifications of premium smartphones. Apple, for instance, says that models from the iPhone 15 onwards meet the second condition. The manufacturer could therefore be exempt from the requirement, provided its devices also retain their IP certification.

Our analysis of removable smartphone batteries

The legislation presents manufacturers with a genuine strategic decision: redesign their products to comply with the rule, or invest in batteries capable enough to qualify for an exemption. This could widen the divide between premium and entry-level smartphones, as the latter will automatically be subject to the removable-battery requirement.

For European consumers, however, it represents a tangible step forward. Being able to replace a battery yourself could add two or three years to a device’s life, while saving just as much on the cost of buying a new phone.