New reports suggest Apple is working on ditching the adhesive strips that keep iPhone batteries in place.
The company is reportedly working on a way to make the batteries user-removable and replaceable.
This is in order to comply with EU regulations that require all phone batteries to be user-replaceable by 2025.
Currently, iPhone batteries are encased in foil, and attached via adhesive strips, which have to be pulled to dislodge the battery.
The new move will reportedly see a metal enclosure which will pop the battery out after it receives a small electrical jolt.
It’s expected to be called electricity-induced adhesive debonding.
Getting to the battery will still be as difficult as it is now, as the user will need to get through the adhesive holding the glass to the frame, then several screws, and ribbon cables.
This new enclosure could be tested out on the upcoming iPhone 16 model, with expectations to bring it to the iPhone 17 series.
Other manufacturers use similar adhesive pull tabs, meaning they will also need to make batteries replaceable by next year.
Considering the complexity of opening the iPhone case, as well as the risks of handling electricity, it’s possible Apple could recommend enlisting professional help to replace batteries.
This is just the latest piece of EU legislation forcing Apple’s hand. So far, Apple has had to bring USB-C to its phones and open up its app store ecosystem to third parties.
Apple executive John Ternus explained that a large portion of the reason why Apple uses adhesives is to help make them more waterproof, preventing the spreading of water throughout the device.
Recently, the company has been focused on sustainability, having announced its plans to expand its diagnostics software to anyone in Europe wishing to repair their iPhone.
Additionally, the company released a sustainability white paper, which outlined plans to make devices last longer, believing durability is preferable to repairability.
