Apple is working to make removing the iPhone 16 battery easier, in line with EU regulations

Rumor Mill: Most modern smartphones have slim shapes that make battery removal much more complicated than earlier mobile devices. New EU rules could force manufacturers to rethink their designs, and reports indicate that Apple will comply with these regulations starting with this year’s iPhone. These rumors line up with previous leaks showing a redesigned battery case in the company’s latest phone model.

Sources tell The Information (via MacRumors) that replacing the battery on the iPhone 16 will be slightly easier. While the process will likely still require professional help, Apple is making adapting to new European Union regulations less complicated and risky.

Removing the battery from the iPhone 15 involves a number of delicate steps, including carefully removing the adhesive strips that hold the battery in place with tweezers (or a plastic card, according to iFixit ). The new method reportedly involves applying a low-voltage current to free the battery from its casing.

The updated process may be possible thanks to the new matte metal iPhone 16 battery case that was leaked last year. Compared to the black foil case Apple has used so far, the metal can improve heat distribution to minimize overheating. A redesigned battery removal procedure may be another result of this change.

Cupertino is complying with a law the European Union passed last year requiring new smartphones to allow users to easily remove and replace internal batteries by 2025. However, removing the back cover of the iPhone 16 likely won’t be much easier than its predecessors, so many owners will still rely on Apple stores or other repair shops. Still, the upcoming phone will likely launch around the same time the company is expected to introduce more lenient repair policies.

Apple recently made other significant changes to the iPhone as EU regulations tighten. The iPhone 15 became the first variant to replace Apple’s proprietary Lightning cable connector with a standard USB-C connector, and European iOS users now have more options on where they can download the software.

Other rumored changes coming to the iPhone 16 include the thinnest bezel yet, a capture button, and the first increase in NPU cores in four years. The more powerful NPU would be used to improve the performance of Apple Intelligence’s recently announced generative AI functionality.