April 30, 2026, 4:03 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Starting in 2027, the EU mandates that smartphones must come to market with replaceable batteries. However, it is not yet apparent that major manufacturers are considering this requirement in the development of new devices. Instead, companies like Apple and other providers seem to be focusing on alternative solutions to meet the requirements. A short-term change in upcoming models is therefore not foreseeable. Manufacturers primarily point to technical alternatives.
Battery Regulation with Possible Leeway
The battery regulation includes a provision that offers manufacturers an alternative to the traditional replaceable battery. The key factor is the durability of the energy storage. If a battery retains at least 83 percent of its original capacity after 500 full charge cycles, this is already considered a partially fulfilled requirement.
If it withstands another 500 charge cycles without dropping below 80 percent capacity, smartphones can still be approved despite having a non-removable battery. The requirements are thus considered met without a fixed replaceable battery, as long as the specified values are achieved.
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Technical Requirements and Durability
Additionally, smartphones must be dustproof and withstand immersion in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter to be approved for the European market. Many current devices already meet these requirements. Furthermore, a value of 1,000 charge cycles is mentioned, which most modern batteries in the mid-range and high-end segments can achieve. A charge cycle corresponds to a full charge from 0 to 100 percent. These criteria are intended to ensure that devices achieve a sufficient battery lifespan. This particularly affects modern smartphones in higher price ranges.
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Outlook on Upcoming Devices
It is becoming apparent that smartphones may continue to frequently appear with non-removable batteries in the future. This is unlikely to change much, especially in the entry-level segment. The combination of durability requirements and existing technical developments ensures that a traditional replaceable battery may remain rare in the market. It is therefore expected that this trend will continue under the new EU regulations.