[[File:Samsung Galaxy Unpacked up close 2014-09-03 Note 4 replaceable battery pride.jpg|thumb|right|…half a year after which the [[Galaxy S6]] was [[:File:S6builtin.jpg|released]].]]
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🔋 These are the benefits of user-replaceable batteries in portable consumer electronics such as [[mobile phone]]s and portable [[computer]]s, and the problems associated with non-replaceable batteries.

This article explains how non-user-replaceable batteries, also known as ''non-removable'' batteries, '''severely restrict the freedom and convenience''' of many users of said products, and how '''the freedom of choice''' has increasingly diminished during the 2010s decade down to a point where nearly every newly released mobile phone has a battery that is not replaceable by the end user.

Although much of this article applies to other devices such as [[laptop]] computers as well, this article mainly is focused on [[mobile phone]]s due to their heavy reliance on a portable power source, [[#Significance|significance]] and versatility as a highly portable device and due to their greater affliction by the [[design trend]] of non-user-replaceable batteries.

== Definition ==
[[File:Dell_Tablet_Battery.png|thumb|right|Contrary to popular belief, tablet computers ''can'' have user-replaceable batteries. This one uses a slider mechanism to lock the battery in.]]
A battery only qualifies as ''user-replaceable'' if the device meets the following design conditions: 

* No glue is used to hold the battery in place.
* The user is able to access the device's battery compartment without:
** using a heat gun,
** damaging any part of the device such as breaking seals,
** exposing delicate internal components such as the device's main board,
** or need for proprietary tools such as a proprietary screw driver.

Laptop computers with user-replaceable batteries and [[Benefits of dedicated cameras|dedicated cameras and camcorders]] commonly use a slider lock, while mobile phones with user-replaceable batteries use a removable back cover fastened using jigsaw-shaped locks, and the bottom of the battery compartment to hold the battery.

==History==
{{See also|Criticism of Apple}}
;<span style="color:darkred;">The great usurpation of user-replaceable batteries</span>

Until the early 2010s, nearly all mobile phones that were not [[Apple]] [[iPhone]]s had a battery cover that could simply be opened by the end user.

Over time, other phone vendors slowly started succumbing to the slim fragile unibody<sup>([[euphemism]])</sup> [[design trend]] set by [[Apple]], who successfully marketed it as a ''cool'' status symbol to the world, '''possibly''' with the help of massive [[astroturfing]] and [[shill]]ing in online technology forums and support by members of the [[Apple cult]].

Mobile phone vendors other than <!--cr-->Apple increasingly released mobile phones '''with non-user-replaceable batteries''' such as:

*Sony Xperia S and P<ref name="XperiaP">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0J80bDHlRQ&t=0m32s Sony Xperia P promotion video mentioning the euphemistic ''U-word''.]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXtR2NslqOs One-minute film by Sony about Xperia P craftsmanship: “Precision crafted, full-aluminium '''unibody'''”]</ref> (early 2012)
*Sony Xperia Z and ZR (early 2013)
*HTC One M7 (early 2013)
*Samsung Galaxy A3, A5, A7 (early 2015)
*Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge (early 2015){{NoteTag|name=Denison}}{{NoteTag|For their predecessor, the [[Samsung Galaxy S5]], Samsung has proudly advertised its interchangeable battery in their ''“Wall Hugger”'' commercial.<ref name=S5wall>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlelbGtPEdU&t=43s Samsung Galaxy S5 commercial film: ''“Wall Hugger”'' (airport lounge)] (2014)</ref> Just one year later, [[Samsung]] has hypocriticized their own advertisement film with the release of the Galaxy S6.}}

As an outcome, user-replaceable batteries have increasingly been usurped to a point where the vast majority of mobile phones released since 2015 until at least late 2020<!--Update the date, if necessary.--> have batteries not replaceable by the end user.

==The problem: Planned obsolescence==
In portable electronics, the battery is the component with '''by far the shortest life expectancy''', thus supposed to be modular and replaced like brakes and wheels on vehicles upon expiration.<ref name=TechWorldaToday>[https://techworldstoday.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/top-tips-for-making-your-laptop-battery-last-longer/ ''Top &#91;10 ways&#93; for making your laptop battery last longer''] (August 5, 2015; original source disputed) ({{iquote|Contrary to popular belief, laptop batteries are consumables – like printer ink. Batteries aren’t designed to last the lifetime of the laptop, and that’s why – if you check the small print on the warranty statement – you’ll probably find that the battery isn’t covered, or is guaranteed for a shorter period than the laptop.}})</ref><ref name=consumables>Cristina Perkins. "How To Increase Laptop Battery Capacity – 7 Amazing Tricks In..." (1984)
Available at: [http://works.bepress.com/ammocapal/58/ Cristina Perkins. "How To Increase Laptop Battery Capacity – 7 Amazing Tricks In..."] (Christina Perkins, 1984-07-19) (original source disputed) ({{iquote|Contrary to popular belief, laptop batteries are consumables, like printer ink.}})</ref><ref name=consumables2>[https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0458/1720/0796/files/laptop_battery_saver_software_for_windows_7.pdf ''Laptop battery saver software for Windows 7'']</ref>

Like defective crucial components in machines, a defective supply of electricity to a device such as an expired battery in a mobile phone '''cripples its operation.'''

===Battery aging===
<gallery perrow="1" style="float:right;clear:right;">
File:LithiumIon-cycles.jpg|Lithium-Ion recharge cycle test at elevated voltages
File:LithiumIon-cycles-1.jpg|Another Lithium-Ion recharge cycle test
</gallery>
Over time, with normal usage, a rechargeable battery wears down and eventually loses both capacity and performance. Each charging and discharging cycle adds to the weardown and brings the battery closer to its demise.

On devices powered by [[Lithium-Ion]] batteries, the most common battery type in portable electronics, the battery performance's decline usually becomes noticeable after two years of normal usage or one year of [[#Weardown_from_heavy_usage|heavy usage]]. Although the battery should have around 80% of its original performance at that point, it means that it is approximately at the middle of its lifespan.

Another noticeable sign of battery degradation is a rashing battery indicator, which falsely makes the device appear to be charging faster due to the battery terminal voltage coming closer to its ceiling faster, while the battery is actually storing less energy 

Towards the end of its lifespan, the performance and endurance of the battery starts to plunge.<ref name="BU-808">[http://archive.today/vYtuL Battery University: BU-808 ─ ''How to prolong &#91;the lifespan of&#93; Lithium-based batteries.'']</ref><ref name="RAV">[https://blog.ravpower.com/2017/12/why-batteries-lose-their-charge-solutions/ ''Why batteries lose their charge'' - RAVpower Blog (2017-12-08)]</ref><ref name="ibt">[http://www.ibt-power.com/Battery_packs/Li_Ion Typixal Lithium-Ion technical data – IBT Power]</ref>

===Power starvation===
====Unexpected poweroffs====
At one point after enough weardown from usage, a battery is weakened by its age so much that the voltage risks falling below a threshold (e.g. 3.0 Volts for mobile phones) during normal operation, '''unexpectedly causing poweroffs'''. 
The battery is considered to be expired and have reached the end of its useful (functional) lifespan at that point.

After further usage of a senescent battery, it will eventually no longer be able to power the device for beyond a few minutes.

====Limited performance====
Due to the low performance of aged batteries, a device has to artificially limit its processing power to avoid overwhelming the age-weakened battery. Colder environmental temperatures that slow down the chemical reactions inside the battery and lower charging states decrease the output power limit even further.

To prevent this power starvation effect, the device would have to be connected to an external power source such as a wall charger/power supply or a [[power bank]], from where it should be able to draw power in abundance, provided that the power source works as intended. During free movement however, the ergonomy of a mobile phone is restricted while connected to a power bank.

===iPhone battery weakness===
Battery weakness has especially been a historical problem on [[iPhone]]s because their batteries had a low capacity to begin with, meaning that the same tasks demand a higher ''[[C-rate]]'', which is the battery current relative to its size.<ref name="Guardian" />

Because smaller and more aged batteries are weaker, powering the same tasks and charging at the same absolute speed induces more stress onto the battery cell due to higher power requiremnts relative to the battery's strength.<ref name="vicious">[https://poal.co/s/crApple/141804 “Why smaller batteries have a shorter lifespan — the vicious aging cycle of tiny iPhone batteries.”]</ref><ref name="Guardian">[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/24/iphone-slow-ios-9-update-iphone-4s-iphone-5-iphone-5s ''TheGuardian'' report about poor battery performance of Apple iPhones (2015-09-24)]</ref>

===Vulnerabilities===
====Plating====
Lithium-Ion batteries might suffer from a destructive chemical reaction known as ''plating'' if charged during freezing temperatures, discharged below 2.5 volts (usually caused by self-discharging after long non-usage) and trickle-charged.<ref name="ScienceDaily">[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903105638.htm Lithium-ion batteries: Phenomenon of 'lithium plating' during the charging process observed (2014-09-03)]</ref>

====Dendrite hazard====
[[File:Lithium-dendrites.jpg|thumb|Dendrites infesting a Lithium-Ion battery]]
Over time, Lithium-Ion batteries develope so-called '''dendrites''' from normal usage. These are whiskers of lithium that infest the battery internally over time, causing the capacity and performance to degrade over time, and the internal resistance to increase.

Dendrites develope faster at higher charging speeds and at higher temperatures. Too many dendrites could cause an internal short circuit in the battery by drilling through the ''polarity septum'', which is a safety hazard and may pose a risk of fire.<ref name="ep-dendrites">[https://www.electronicproducts.com/Power_Products/Batteries_and_Fuel_Cells/What_are_dendrites_and_why_do_they_cause_fires_in_lithium_batteries.aspx ''Strands of lithium are proving to be a nuisance for next-gen batteries''] –  October 20, 2016 by Jeffrey Bausch </ref>

==== Removal when inflated ====
[[File:Note7disaster.jpg|thumb|The result of prioritizing slim {{iquote|premium}} design over safety and functionality.]]
In the unlikely event of a mobile phone battery visibly inflating, it can be removed from the device immediately if the rear cover is removable, minimzing damage. 

But if a non-replaceable battery visibly inflates, the mobile phone will self-destruct like a [[Samsung Galaxy Note 7]], whose infamous disaster mainly is the result of an aggressively slim design that failed to fit in the squished battery with a moderate capacity of 3500 mAh properly.<ref name=TR-N7>[https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-7-battery-fires-heres-why-they-exploded ''Here’s why the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 batteries caught fire and exploded''] by Matt Swider (TechRadar, January 23, 2017)</ref>

===Video recording===
The photography capabilities and especially video recording abilities of mobile phones has improved to a point where such devices are [[#Significance|able]] to serve as the '''main camera''' to the majority of people.

But mobile phone batteries with less than 10 Watt-hours are considerably too weak to power 2160p (4K) and high frame rate (e.g. 1080p@120<abbr title="Frames per second">fps</abbr>, 720p@240fps) video recording, thus will degrade quickly when used for powering such tasks.

The usage of video recording modes on newer mobile phones released towards the end of the 2010s decade, with even higher pixel rates, such as 2160p@60fps, 1080p@240fps and continuous 720p@480fps demand even more battery power.

New higher video resolutions such as 3240p 6K and especially 4320p 8K on devices released since 2020, such as the [[Samsung Galaxy S20]] models, '''ravenously''' demand battery power and produce significant heat.

Here is a comparison of battery capacities with several known mobile phone models that support at least 2160p 4K video recording at 30fps, as a reference:

<div style="
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{{/Wh-list}}

If a device you think is worth listing is not listed here yet, feel free to add it.
</div>

== Sense of freedom ==
{{anchor|freedom}}
[[File:S6builtin.jpg|thumb|[[Justin Denison]] glorifyingly announcing that the battery of the [[Samsung]] [[Galaxy S6]] is non-replaceable, heavily disappointing their core customer base. (Keynote on March 1st 2015.)]]
Knowing that one could easily and quickly replace the battery at any time is a liberating feeling.{{NoteTag|name=Denison|1=On the [[Galaxy S6]] keynote ''“Samsung Unpacked 2015 – Episode 1”'', [[Justin Denison]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILsPjSIY270&t=27m10s said on stage]: {{quote|1=''“You may have noticed a major change here: '''The battery is <big>built-in</big>'''<sup>[=&nbsp;Hiobsbotschaft]</sup>. Now, ~ , we refused to do this for some time<sup>[Who asked?]</sup>. That's because we didn't want to have a built-in battery until we were absolutely sure that users would feel confident about charging their phones.”}} But in reality, non-replaceable batteries cause '''the exact contrary:''' they strongly diminish said confidence.}}

In contrary, the thought of one trapped (non-modular) component with a short lifespan having the potential to render the entire device near-useless upon expiration could give the user inconvenient subconscious saliency.

===Significance===

;Why it matters.

Due to the tremendous versatility, practicality and portability of mobile phones<ref name="versatile">[https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/gadgets/15-devices-that-our-smartphone-has-replaced-in-our-lives-making-it-a-true-all-in-one-gadget-330647.html A list of 15 devices within the feature range of mobile phones. (2017-10-01, original title: ''“15 Devices That Our Smartphone Has Replaced In Our Lives, Making It A True All-In-One Gadget!”'')]</ref>, these devices have become '''an essential part of user's lives''' and are therefore heavily relied upon. It is a digital swiss army knife.

To many, the mobile phone is the most steadily accessible toolbox, electronic companion and digital portal. 
It is what connects them to the [[Internet]] and other people from anywere, captures fleeting moments with its built-in cameras, records stunning footage with its camcorder feature, illuminates the dark when needed with its built-in LED lamp, acts as a digital note book, and much more.

For portability, all of this functionality relies on a portable power source, namely the mobile phone battery. If said mobile phone battery '''ceases to function properly''' however, namely because of its old age, its failure disables the normal operation of the device, making all of said functionality '''unuseable and ineffective.'''

{{quote|The battery makes a mobile phone mobile.}}
===Weardown from heavy usage===
{{anchor|heavy}}
The performance demands from customers are increasing to power new functionality such as faster recharging, 5G connectivity, [[#Video_recording|high resolution video recording]] and [[#Wireless_discharging|wireless discharging]].

Fast charging speeds and full, deep charging cycles (i.e. charging a battery up to 100% and discharging down to 0%) reduce the life span of the battery faster.

High charging currents relative to the battery size put enormous stress on the battery cell.

The heat produced during fast charging speeds, [[wireless charging]] and high usage of the [[CPU]] and [[GPU]] further accelerates the wear & tearing of the battery.

Heavy usage not only heats up the device but also drains the battery faster, speeding up consumption of the limited recharge cycles. 
This includes:

;[[#Battery_weardown|Battery weardown]]
*Fast charging speeds
*[[#Wireless_discharging|Wireless discharging]]
*[[USB-OTG]] appliances
;Multimedia
*High resolution and/or framerate [[#Video_recording|video recording]] and playback
*3D gaming
*Mobile video editing
;High display usage:
*High screen brightnesses
*High screen resolutions (e.g. 1440p, 2160p)
*High refresh rates (e.g. 90 Hz, 120 Hz)
;Tasks
*Video telephony
*Usage of split-screen and multi-window functionality
*Frequent switching between applications
;Connectivity:
*Usage of cellular networks like 4G and especially 5G.
*Usage of [[Miracast]] (''screen mirroring'')
*Usage of WiFi direct (file transfer, ''hotspot'' FTP server, Internet ''hotspot'')
*Poor signal strengths

===Usage as power bank===
Mobile phones with USB-OTG (''USB on the go'') support allow outputting power through the USB port, although with limited discharging speeds and power losses from voltage boost conversion from the mobile phone's internal battery voltage to five volts required for USB power output.
====Wireless discharging====
{{anchor|powershare}}
In the late 2010s, the first mobile phones with wireless discharging abilities appeared on the market, such as the [[Samsung Galaxy S9]] (released early 2018) and [[Samsung]] flagship phones released since then, of whose this feature has been branded ''[[PowerShare]]''.<ref name="S10-PowerShare-ad" /> Wireless discharging is also known as ''“reverse wireless charging”'' at [[Huawei]].<ref name="AndroidAuth-ReverseChg">[https://www.androidcentral.com/how-use-reverse-wireless-charging-huawei-mate-20-pro ''“How to use reverse wireless charging on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro”'' – Android Authority]</ref>

Wireless discharging allows the mobile phone to act as a wireless charging station and provide wireless power to other devices. If the ''PowerShare host'', the phone providing the wireless power, is not connected to a wired charger itself, entirely the mobile phone's internal non-user-replaceable battery is used to provide the power necessary for wireless discharging.
====Criticism of wireless discharging====
Although potentially practical in emergency situations, wireless discharging is a '''ravenous, squanderous''' waste of the '''limited recharge cycles''' of the host device's '''non-user-replaceable battery''' due to the inefficiency of wireless power transmission (electromagnetic induction over the air) and the high amounts of transmitted power relative to a mobile phone's battery size.{{NoteTag|Charging smaller accessories such as smart watches and wireless earphones (also known as ''“EarBuds”'') demands far less power than other mobile phones.}}
The heat caused by said inefficiency (energy loss) adds to the battery's weardown.

The usage of wireless discharging is advertised, thus endorsed by Samsung.<ref name="W-PowerShare">[https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/what-is/wireless-powershare/ ''“What is wireless PowerShare?”'' article on Samsung's official web site]</ref><ref name="S10-PowerShare-ad">[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XZqnLhMeun4 Samsung Galaxy S10 commercial for ''PowerShare'']</ref>

===Sacrifice of convenience and mobility===
{{anchor|frugality}}{{anchor|sacrifice}}
In order to extend the battery's life span and to somewhat delay its '''inevitable demise''', one would have to '''sacrifice convenience'''  by keeping the battery charging state between approximately 25% and 75%, avoid excessive heat (above around ≈30°C), restrict the device's performance by enabling settings for power saving, refrain from [[#Weardown_from_heavy_usage|extended usage]], and deactivate the convenient fast charging feature (or limit charging speed by using less powerful chargers{{notetag|One might also limit the charging current by using a longer USB wire with accordingly higher ohmic resistance. This however might not restrict changing speeds on mobile phones that use elevated voltages for fast charging, if connected to a supported charger.}}), which negatively affects the user experience.

Not only do these measures of frugality decrease user convenience, but they put the manufacturer's implementation of a device's potential capabilites to waste.

In addition, battery nursing measures such as using slower charging speeds and only partial charging cycles would sacrifice the '''''mobile''''' phone's '''mobility''' because it would be dependent longer and more frequently on external power input to keep working.

Battery health care measures that involve limiting device performance and used capacity '''actually simulate an already degraded battery.'''

===The dilemma===
With a non-user-replaceable battery, the user is forced to decide between convenience or battery lifespan.

With a replaceable battery in comparison, one can '''blissfully''' charge fast, use full charging cycles and do [[#heavy|power-intensive tasks]] such as high-resolution and/or framerate video recording, without bothering with battery care, power saving modes or feelings of guilt knowing that the limited battery lifespan could be a '''dead-end''' for the entire device upon expiration, if it were not replaceable.

=== Instant swap ===
Some devices, especially dedicated cameras and camcorders, but also many laptops, have an easily accessible battery compartment, which allows the instant replacement of a discharged battery with a charged one, a benefit known from [[benefits of expandable storage|memory cards]].

While the device operates on the charged battery, the discharged battery can be recharged using an external charger, to be immediately ready for usage as soon as the other battery is discharged again.

This argument is less of a concern for mobile phones with fast charging technology, because they can be recharged very quickly on the go anyway using powerbanks that support fast charging.

In addition, some mobile phones with replaceable batteries have screw-mounted back covers that need to be opened with the help of a screwdriver instead of only by hand. Such devices include the Samsung Galaxy ''Xcover'' outdoor/rugged phone series.

Although such back covers make the battery less accessible on the go, they can provide more reliable and stronger protection against water and dust ingress while still allowing the replacement of an expired battery (that has reached the end of its lifespan) within minutes at home.

Some mobile phones such as the Caterpillar (''“CAT”'') B15 and B15Q use a back cover slider.<ref name="B15-pics">[https://www.gsmarena.com/cat_b15-pictures-5985.php Cat B15 pictures] – GSM Arena</ref><ref name="B15Q-pics">[https://www.gsmarena.com/cat_b15_q-pictures-6698.php Cat B15 Q pictures] – GSM Arena</ref>

{{anchor|surgery}}
==Forced replacement (''battery surgery'')==
[[File:BotchedReplacement.jpg|thumb|Botched iPhone battery replacement job]]

===Phone repair shop===
A forced battery replacement of a sealed battery (i.e. ''battery surgery'') by a mobile phone repair shop usually costs at least five times as much as a replacement battery, may take hours instead of less than two minutes, and possibly irreversibly damages the water resistance seal.<ref name="uwtest">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNPeA4CJ7Ow&t=2m A Galaxy S7 after battery surgery does not last 20 seconds underwater.]</ref>

In addition, instead of easily manually replacing the battery at home within a minute, one has to trust ones device to a repairman with the hope that he successfully performs the battery surgery without damaging any delicate parts of a device that was never built to ever have its battery replaced.

Such a battery surgery, depending on the build of the device, may rely on high-precision work with a heat gun and with a hot soldering iron '''in proximity of delicate hardware components''', as opposed to risk-freely opening a back cover with ones hand and a screwdriver if necessary.

If internal parts are stuck together using glue, repairs are especially difficult and might cause unintended damage to components.<ref name=pit-XperiaZ>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPN930fohyo&time_continue=5m22s ''“Wie wasserdicht ist das Sony Xperia Z wirklich?”''] – AndroidPIT Germany – 2013-08-05 (criticism of the design of the 2013 Sony Xperia Z)</ref>

===Manual battery surgery===
Although tool kits for performing the battery surgery manually exist (e.g. those by ''[[iFixit]]''), the usage of those usually demands intense patience and dexterity (fine motor skills), more or less depending on the device's physical construction.

There is a risk of botching replacements, rendering a device unuseable, which has reportedly happened to several attempters.<ref>[https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/data-recovery-from-botched-battery-replacement.1849844/ ''Data Recovery from Botched Battery Replacement''] —  Thread by user ''BDub-Hay'' on ''MacRumors.com'' on February 25, 2015</ref><ref>[https://i.reddit.com/r/iPhoneRepair/comments/i4tiy7/helpbotched_iphone_battery_replacement/ ''&#91;Help&#93;Botched iPhone battery replacement?'' — Reddit user ''td4k'' on 2020-08-06 in /r/iPhoneRepair]  (''“So I got a new battery for my se and put it in. After a few seconds it turned on and I was able to get to the home screen. But I accidentally knocked it out of the connector as I haven’t finished closing it yet. But after put it back in it won’t turn on again.”'')</ref>

===Services by vendors===
Some vendors offer users a servce to deposit their device through (physical) mail for a battery replacement.
In that case, the user has to trust that their posted device does not get lost or damaged anywhere in the delivery, and that the vendor does not secretly apply additional unsolicited modifications to the device.

===Accessibility of battery surgery===
In addition, users located in remote places such as smaller valleys might have to wait days for their device to arrive back at home.

Access to mobile phone repair services tends to be restricted in remote places and during a pandemic outbreak such as [[Coronavirus]] 2020.

Replacement batteries however can be purchased by the user any time in advance in any needed quantity.

==Anti-replaceable-battery arguments debunked==
{{anchor|debunked}}{{anchor|Pro-non-replaceable-battery_arguments_debunked}}

This section debunks the myths and arguments in favour of non-user-replaceable mobile phone batteries, some of which are applicable to other battery-powered devices as well.

The arguments mentioned in the following list include respective variations of them.

=== Water irresistance myth ===
;''“User-replaceable batteries make water-resistance impossible!''”''{{anchor|water_replaceable}}

A common argument against a design with user-replaceable battery is it allegedly excluding water and dust resistance.

However, devices including the Samsung's Galaxy S5<ref name=S5water>Video ''“Ultimate Samsung Galaxy S5 Water Test!”'' (2014-04-06) by [[TechSmartt]]: [[Samsung Galaxy S5]] successfully surviving water resistance tests: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9J611BuXhw&t=01m32s Submerged at 1m (3.3ft) of depth for 1 hour] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9J611BuXhw&t=05m43s being washed in a washing machine for 50 minutes]</ref> (including ''“Active”'', ''“Sport”'' and ''“Mini”''{{notetag|The USB port of the Galaxy S5 Mini is protected from the inside, meaning that it does not require a flap to cover it externally for water resistance like it does with the standard Galaxy S5 variant.}}  variants), Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy Xcover series, Sony Xperia V, Sony Ericsson Xperia Active, Cat B15 and B15Q  were water-resistant while being equipped with a user-replaceable battery.

;''“Replaceable batteries limit water/dust resistance.”''
This can be compensated by making the rubber isolation thicker and/or multi-layered.

=== Slim design argument ===
;''“Users prefer thinner phones!”''<ref>[https://club.myce.com/t/user-replaceable-battery-or-slim-design-which-is-more-important-to-you-in-a-mobile-phone/407626/19?u=handroid7 User-replaceable battery or slim design – Which is more important to you in a mobile phone? – Post #19 by user ''UTR'']</ref>

Not only is [[Function over form|functionality]] the original purpose of mobile phones, but millions of [[Apple cult]] members appear not to be bothered by the >8 millimeters of thickness on all three iPhone 11 variants<ref>[https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=9848&idPhone2=9847&idPhone3=9846 Compare Apple iPhone 11 vs. Apple iPhone 11 Pro vs. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max] – GSMArena.com</ref>, the same thickness those hypocrites criticized earlier Samsung mobile phones for. 

This iSheepocrisy suggests that the criticism, much of it presumably from Apple iShills and [[Apple cult|cult members]], solely purported for mocking the competing mobile phone vendors.

In addition, the [[Samsung Galaxy S4]] with user-replaceable battery is only 7.9mm thick, which is slimmer than iPhones released in the years towards 2020.<ref>[https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9505_galaxy_s4-5371.php Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-i9505) – Full phone specifications] – GSMArena.com</ref>

;''“Mobile phones with user-replaceable batteries never sold well!”''
;''“Noone wants a boring polycarbonate back!”''

Samsung Galaxy flagship mobile phones of 2010 to 2014 sold tens of millions of times each, making the [[Galaxy S4]] the '''most sold''' Android-running mobile phone of all time with more than '''80 Million''' sales.<ref name="telegraph_20">{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/01/26/the-20-bestselling-mobile-phones-of-all-time/ |title=The 20 bestselling mobile phones of all time |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=August 6, 2017 |accessdate=August 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715185735/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/01/26/the-20-bestselling-mobile-phones-of-all-time/ |archivedate=July 15, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The millions of members of the [[Apple cult]] evidently submit to any [[design trend]] Apple throws at them. Had Apple produced an iPhone with user-replaceable battery{{notetag|Although this is an obvious [[oxymoron]], it just describes a hypothetical situation.}}, countless members of the Apple cult would have purchased it, solely because of the brand name ''“Apple”'', not its functionality.

=== Wireless charging argument ===
;''“Wireless charging is not possible with user-replaceable batteries.”''

Several devices with user-replaceable batteries such as the Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Note 2, Note 3 and Note 4 allow attaching a special wireless charging back cover that does nearly look identical to the original back cover. 

The power is delivered through dedicated contact pins under the back cover.{{NoteTag|1=The Galaxy Note 3, S5 and Note 4 also used such pins for detecting the attachment of ''S View Cover'' and ''LED cover'' (Note 4 only), while S4, S6 and other Samsung devices detect it entirely through their hall sensor.}}

Manufacturers could, if they wanted, include such a back cover into the scope of delivery in the original box in which the main unit is shipped.

=== Bulk argument ===
;''“Non-replaceable batteries are bulkier!”''

While they indeed need slightly more physical space for the same capacity due to a need for protective casing necessary for protection during handling and minor drops, that space compromise is one many users would '''happily accept''' in return for [[#Sense_of_freedom|freedom from planned obsolescence]], including [https://poal.co/s/crApple/125585 100% of the voters here] and the vast majority of voters on a big technology forum<ref name="LTT-poll">[https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1177467-would-you-rather-have-a-replaceable-battery-or-slim-design/ ''Would you rather have a replaceable battery or slim design?''] – Linus Tech Tips forums</ref>. [https://poal.co/s/AskPoal/188585 Here] is another poll where 100% voted for user-replaceable batteries over bezel-less displays. And an independent poll by [[Android Authority]] revealed that the majority of mobile phone users wishes new mobile phones with user-replaceable batteries.<ref name="AndrAuth-poll-2020">[https://www.androidauthority.com/removable-battery-poll-1074950/ Removable batteries: A must-have, or don’t care? (Poll of the Week)], January 15, 2020, Jimmy Westenbergm Android Authority</ref><ref name="AndrAuth-poll-2020-results">[https://www.androidauthority.com/removable-battery-poll-results-1075707/ ''We asked, you told us: Most of you miss the removable battery''] – January 18, 2020, Jimmy Westenberg, Android Authority</ref>

In addition, {{anchor highlight|short_benefit|the deterioration of the battery over time '''nullifies the physical space benefit anyway'''}} due to diminishment of the effective battery capacity, thus '''deterioation of effective energy density.'''

Many users put their mobile phone in a protective case anyway, defeating the ''“premium materials”'' and ''“sleek design”'' arguments.

=== Restricted availability ===
;''“…then just go get a phone with user-replaceable battery!”''

That mere '''option''' (freedom of choice) has sadly been heavily limited since the mid-2010s.<ref>https://poal.co/s/LostFeatures/156028</ref>

The few new phones released with replaceable batteries are of a low specification class (e.g. mediocre charging speeds, mediocre 1080p@30fps video recording).

Even laptops are increasingly suffering from this restrictive and despicable [[Apple]]-made design trend.

=== Rogue spare parts argument ===
;''“But users might purchase spare parts from questionable vendors!”''

In the same way, a user might submit the device to a questionable phone repair shop that might fail to repair the phone properly and add damage in the process.

It is the '''user's responsibility''' to purchase spare parts from trustable vendors. 

This also applies to other devices and machines such as data storage devices (including MicroSD cards for mobile phones), computers and vehicles, both for spare parts and repairs.

In addition, mobile phone manufacturers could print a notice on the device's package box that encourages users only to purchase spare parts from trustable vendors.

=== Power bank argument ===
;''“Just use a powerbank/battery case!”''

Although it is beneficial and safer to carry a [[power bank]] '''regardless''' of the mobile phone's battery capacity, this argument appears mainly to be used by the same people who purchase phones and other devices that prioritize [[form over function]], i.e. slim design (a few millimeters thinner) and light weight (a few grams lighter) over battery capacity and those who advocate carrying a power bank that usually weighs multiple times as much as the mobile phone itself, and/or a [[#But_what_about_battery_cases.3F|battery case]] that adds significant thickness, which is a [[double standard]].

Being connected to a power bank may restrict the device's mobility and ergonomy, especially during camera usage.

If the battery expires, the mobile phone will '''permanently''' rely on an external power source to prevent unexpected shutdowns from [[#Power_starvation|voltage starvations]].

=== Alleged personal experience ===
;''“My last mobile phone'e battery lasted 3 years without issues!”''

With current battery technologies, these high battery life expectancies are only achievable with [[#frugality|frugality]] and [[#sacrifice|sacrifice of convenience]].

Many users however do neither wish to limit themselves to inconvenient slow charging speeds and limit the used capacity range of the battery to between around 25% and ~75%, nor to sacrifice processing speeds using ''power saving'' mode, or dismiss functionality of their device that demands much battery power.<ref>[https://poal.co/s/LostFeatures/156605 ''“Non-replaceable batteries are necessary”'' debunked. – Poal.co /s/LostFeatures]</ref>

=== Device replacement argument ===
The argument '''''“But I replace my phone every 1 to 2 years anyway!”''''' does not change the fact that irreplaceable batteries are [[planned obsolescence]] by definition.<ref name="Muldoon">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiQAtLqczAk ''“Non-Replaceable Batteries: This Trend Has to Stop.”'' (+ Tim Cook investor letter)] - Video by ''[[Right-to-Repair]]''-advocate Kevin Muldoon</ref>

One is also supposed to purchase a device '''out of [[phonelitical spectrum|appreciation for its functionality]]''', not because one failing part that is hardly replaceable rendered the entire previous device near-useless and highly dependent on external power input (''“wall hugging”''<ref name=S5wall/>).

Many users prefer to keep using their device for well beyond 2 years because it could still fulfill its purpose and get its work done.  
But that device might not work as intended anymore due to battery failure.

Previous phones could also serve as surrogate/backup devices and/or have some functionality and compatibility that newer devices lack.

In addition, devices with locked bootloaders (which is the default state) have heavy restrictions on [[data portability]].<ref name="bootloader">[https://poal.co/s/TellPoal/152184 Criticism of poor data portability with locked bootloader.]</ref>

=== Battery case argument ===
;''“But what about battery cases?”''
{{anchor|But_what_about_battery_cases.3F}}
Those in favour of non-user-replaceable batteries argue that the existence of battery cases renders user-replaceable internal batteries unnecessary due to the interchangeability of the battery case 

[[Battery case]]s, in a nutshell, are [[power bank]]s in the form of phone cases. They provide electricity to the phone through an integrated charging plug or [[wireless charging]].

Although a creative idea and a useful accessory to many, battery cases are not useable '''in combination''' with other phone cases that have special features such as strong protection and an integrated horizontal kickstand.<ref name="standcase">[http://archive.today/bfR3N Example phone case with practical built-in kickstand and a design of high robustness and good grip.]</ref>

=== Lesser common situations ===
This section addresses situations that are rather unlikely to occur to non-clusmy users.

==== Anti-theft argument ====
Those who oppose replaceable batteries argue that software that helps to remotely supervise and potentially find a lost or stolen mobile phone could be rendered ineffective by thieves removing the battery.

However, mobile phones also usually can be forced into power-off with a hard-reset button combination.

In addition, since [[Android]] 9 Pie, Google heavily restricted the ability for anti-theft software to remotely monitor a lost device. There is no official user option to manually grant trusted applications such access.<ref name="antitheft">[https://www.androidauthority.com/android-p-camera-restrictions-839076/ Google restricts background access to camera, microphone and device sensors for alleged ''privacy protection''.]</ref>

Such restrictions could only be circumvented by manually granting so-called ''root'' access to the anti-theft software. 
Google officially discourages granting root-access to any third-party app. Unofficially however, they actively non-verbally solicit users to root their devices by imposing '''[[List of features removed from Android|heavy restrictions]]''' onto their operating system in an unmodified state.

==== Water damage reduction ====
In case a device with non-replaceable battery that is not water-resistant accidentially gets soaked, the battery can not be removed. Therefore, the battery still provides electricity to the soaked components, which could lead to '''physical heat damage''' on the components from short circuits caused by the water.

If the battery is replaceable, it can be quickly removed to reduce or prevent such damage.

== Summary ==
This article in a nutshell, with shortcuts to the respective sections for details.
: ([[#toc|Jump to table of contents]])
* [[#History|History:]] During the 2010s decade, most mobile phone vendors transitioned from user-replaceable to non-replaceable batteries, succumbing to a [[design trend]] set by [[Apple]].
* The battery is the single component of [[mobile phone]]s, [[laptop]]s and other portable electronic devices '''with the shortest lifespan''', thus [[#The_problem:_Planned_obsolescence|technically supposed to be modular and interchangeable.]]
** Non-replaceable batteries render devices '''near-useless''' upon expiration.
** Thus, non-replaceable batteries are '''[[planned obsolescence]] by definition.'''
** Non-replaceable batteries cause much unnecessary '''electronic waste.'''
** Batteries are '''[[#Vulnerabilities|vulnerable]]''' to heat and so-called “plating” that can be caused by trickle charging.
* The so-called '''dendrites''' caused by battery weardown are a potential [[#Dendrite_hazard|safety hazard]].
* User-replaceable batteries provide significant '''convenience and [[#Sense_of_freedom|freedom]]''' to users:
** Postponing the inevitable demise of a battery involves [[#Sacrifice_of_convenience_and_mobility|frugality]] (e.g. restricting performance by enabling power saving mode; recording video at lower resolutions and framerates), battery care (e.g. avoiding full charging cycles and fast charging) and thus '''[[#sacrifice|sacrificing convenience]]'''.
** Non-replaceable batteries '''pose users a [[#The_dilemma|dilemma]]''' between inconvenience and fast battery death.
** Frugality actually simulates an '''already degraded''' battery.
* Mobile phone vendors encourage accelerating battery weardown with [[#Wireless_discharging|wireless discharging]], a '''squanderous waste''' of the '''scarce''' recharging cycles.
* Forced replacements of non-replaceable batteries (''[[#surgery|battery surgeries]]'') include working in proximity of delicate hardware and could lead to other side effects described in the article.
* Even if [[#Device_replacement_argument|one purchases a new device yearly or faster]], one's previous devices could still serve as secondary and substitute devices, if not disabled by battery failure.
* A mobile phone can be designed with [[#water_replaceable|'''both''' water resistance '''and''' user-replaceable battery]], as has been done in the past already (see [[#debunked|this section]] for example devices).
* The physical space benefit of non-user-replaceable batteries is [[#short_benefit|short-term only]] due to the battery weardown.
: ([[#toc|Jump to table of contents]])

==Trivia==

;Did you know?

*The euphemistic term '''''“[[unibody]]”''''' is thought to have originated in 2008, as a term coined by ''[[Apple|guess who]]''.<ref name="unibody">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAKzfzoSw5c&t=52s First known mention of the term “unibody”: MacBook Pro presentation 2008.]</ref>
*On older devices and devices with less sophisticated battery monitoring (such as digital cameras and navigation devices), the battery percentage meter is more prone to miscalibration which is mainly caused by battery aging (loss of capacity; more voltage deflection). Battery meters in newer devices however are less prone to miscalibration due to more sophisticated algorithms for monitoring battery parameters and calculating the battery percentage.

== References ==
{{notice|As an experiment, the footer sections of the article (see below) are level-3 (''h3'') header sections inside one larger level-2 header (''h2'') section, rather than conventionally separate ''h2'' sections.<br />Feel free to leave feedback on this format on this article's [[Talk:{{SUBPAGENAME}}|discussion page]].}}

===Notes===
{{NoteFoot}} <!--Instead of {{notelist}}, due to compatibility. -->

===See also===
{{Navbox mobile phones|related=0}}
{{Navbox electronics}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===External links===
*[https://poal.co/s/technology/117245 ''“Non-replaceable batteries: A terrible idea. (The fastest-failing part of a mobile phone has become non-modular.)”'' (Essay, November 2019, Poal.co)]
*[https://poal.co/s/crApple/141804 ''Why smaller batteries have a shorter lifespan — the vicious aging cycle of tiny iPhone batteries.'']
*[https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/all-new-iphones-might-be-forced-to-have-a-removable-battery All new phones (including iPhones) might soon be forced to have a removable battery. – TechRadar.com]
*[https://www.electronicproducts.com/Power_Products/Batteries_and_Fuel_Cells/What_are_dendrites_and_why_do_they_cause_fires_in_lithium_batteries.aspx ''“What are dendrites, and why do they cause fires in lithium batteries?”'' – ElectronicProducts.com]
*[https://betanews.com/2015/08/18/this-is-precisely-why-phones-without-removable-batteries-are-a-terrible-idea/ ''“This (!) is precisely why phones without removable batteries are a terrible idea.”'' (betanews.com, 2015-08-18)]
*[https://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/08/10/06/new_eu_directive_pushes_toward_replaceable_iphone_batteries New EU directive pushes toward replaceable iPhone batteries (2008-10-06)]
*[https://poal.co/s/LostFeatures/156605 ''“Non-replaceable batteries are necessary” debunked.'']
*[https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1177467-would-you-rather-have-a-replaceable-battery-or-slim-design/ The vast majority of voters prefer replaceable batteries over slim design in mobile phones. – Survey on Linus Tech Tips forums.]
*[https://www.phonearena.com/news/Federal-Environment-Agency-of-Germany-calls-for-sealed-battery-ban_id36843 “Federal Environment Agency of Germany calls for sealed battery ban” (2012-11)]
*[https://www.techconsumerguide.com/removable-vs-non-removable-batteries/ ''Removable vs non-removable batteries''] - TechConsumerGuide.com
*[https://www.maketecheasier.com/removable-vs-non-removable-battery/ ''Removable vs. non-removable batteries''] - MakeTechEasier.com
*[https://thenextweb.com/opinion/2016/02/07/5-reasons-its-time-we-stop-sacrificing-battery-life-for-skinny-phones/ ''5 reasons it's time we stop sacrificing battery life for skinny phones'' (TheNextWeb, 2016-02-07)]
*Criticism of the then new Samsung Galaxy S6 ''unibody''<sup>([[euphemism]])</sup> design:
**[https://www.tomsguide.com/us/galaxy-s6-trade-offs,news-20514.html Criticism of Samsung's ''unibody''<sup>(euphemism)</sup> design - TomsGuide (2015-03-01)]
**[https://www.sammobile.com/2015/03/04/samsung-galaxy-s6-and-s6-edge-intrigue-critics-upset-fans/ Article about massive criticism about Galaxy S6 design and upset fans (2015-03-04)]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuTcavAzopg “''iPod's dirty secret''” (2003) - Viral film by Casey Neistat criticizing the short lifespan (18 months) of the non-replaceable Apple iPod battery.]
*[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=euJfTt2FMb4&t=07m53s Video of iPhone 6 battery failure situation due to coldness. (German)]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70QiqZg9cXo&t=42s Satirical criticism video] by [[CollegeHumor]] mentioning [[#Power_starvation|unexpected power-offs]] as a known phenomenon in iPhones.
*[https://en.m.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Battery_Power/Lithium_Ion_Batteries WikiBooks article about Lithium-Ion batteries.]
*[http://androidfact.com/why-you-should-buy-an-android-phone-with-a-removable-battery/ ''“Why you should buy an Android phone with a removable battery”''  — by Bertil Hansen (January 2015)]

[[Category:Mobile phones]]
[[Category:Electronics]]
[[Category:Battery (electricity)]]
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