The batteries regulation[1] doesn't contain such an exemption. The legal argument that iPhones may be exempt goes like this:

- The batteries regulation is a general regulation and article 11 specifically says the following:

> This paragraph shall be without prejudice to any specific provisions ensuring a higher level of protection of the environment and human health relating to the removability and replaceability of portable batteries by end-users laid down in any Union law on electrical and electronic equipment as defined in Article 3(1), point (a), of Directive 2012/19/EU.

- There is a different regulation, the ecodesign regulation for smartphones and tablets[2], that is more specific and therefore might supersede the batteries regulation on this front, which says:

> (ii) manufacturers, importers or authorised representatives may provide the battery or batteries referred to in point (i)(a) only to professional repairers if manufacturers, importers or authorised representatives ensure that the following requirements are met:

> (a) after 500 full charge cycles the battery has, in a fully charged state, a remaining capacity of at least 83 % of the rated capacity;

> (b) the battery endurance in cycles achieves a minimum of 1 000 full charge cycles and after 1 000 full charge cycles the battery has, in a fully charged state, a remaining capacity of at least 80 % of the rated capacity;

> (c) the device meets IP67 rating.

[1]: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CEL...

[2]: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CEL...

▲ arendtio 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

But what exactly is a charge cycle? I mean, the effect on a battery being loaded from 0% to 100% and drained to 0% again is vastly different from a battery being charged from 40% to 50% and being used until 40% ten times in a row.

▲

SoftTalker 2 hours ago | parent [-]

And how many people have the free mental space to manage the charge capacity of their phone?

I plug mine into the charger when I go to bed, and unplug it in the morning when I start my day. I don't have time to think about phone charge levels much beyond that.

	▲	lostlogin 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		The will mange it for you - the iOS setting app has options to do this.

▲ motbus3 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I can strongly state that it is 100% possible to do ip67 with removable batteries in the sense people general mean.

That said, I am afraid how one can play with the definition of removable. Everything is removable given enough force.

▲ FeepingCreature 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

EU courts generally frown on such shenanigans.

	▲	throwaway2037 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Great point. This sections closes that opportunity: `> No barriers: The use of adhesives that can only be removed with heat or solvents is prohibited.` The whole "removable (but only) with a jackhammer" is negated immediately.

▲ vrighter 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

the galaxy s5 had everything we are told they removed for waterproofing. removable back cover and battery, and a headphone jack

▲ peterlada 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

This is solid. I like it.