When we look back at the smartphone industry, removable batteries were standard. Apple was the only significant smartphone manufacturer that was ditching them for non-removable batteries. Removable batteries were very convenient when it comes to changing them. You could do it in minutes without sending your phone for repairing. But not anymore.
Non-removable batteries were not standard as compared to these days. Manufacturers are now moving away from removable batteries and making non-removable batteries their default choice in new smartphones.
So is this just them following an iPhone trend, or is there any importance of removing them?
It’s all about moving forward. With time, the needs of the consumer change, and with the change, companies have to make radical decisions. From time to time, the consumer market demands change, and companies have to meet their demands as it’s in the best of everyone’s interest. But this change is quite useful.
Here are the reasons that we won’t see removable batteries in smartphones anymore:
Waterproofing
Photo by Neko Tai on Unsplash
When it comes to buying a smartphone, waterproofing is an important part of that decision. Nobody wants their phone to get damaged by water. In order to achieve waterproofing certification, smartphone manufacturers are making their designs compact by not adding removable parts and keeping devices intact. A removable battery can create many issues with waterproofing certification. That’s why it’s gone for good.
Also read: Tips on Protecting your Phone from Damage
If a device has a removable battery, it’s not possible for manufacturers to make it waterproof as removing it can compromise the safety of your phone. That’s why companies are using fixed backs instead of removable covers to protect your devices from such incidents.
Compact design
Compact design has become an important part of the success of any product. Smartphones with compact designs are selling like hot cakes than the ones with a bulky or inconsistent design. If a company offers a bulky smartphone with more specs but poor design, there is a significant change that it will not perform well in terms of sale in the market.
Also read: Everything you need to know about Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus
The reason is simple; people are obsessed with well-designed products. The manufacturers are focused on making their smartphone compact packed with more features, but to achieve that, they had to make sacrifices, and in this situation, they had to fix batteries.
Opting for non-removable batteries have opened a new era of smartphone designs majorly in the premium flagships. It’s the age of slim and sleek smartphones.
Lightweight devices
No doubt that removable batteries were useful for the users, but non-removable batteries are way more beneficial than the removable ones. The non-removable batteries allow OEMs to manufacture lightweight devices.
Removable batteries also take much space on the phone. Non-removable batteries have enabled device makers to produce thinner, lightweight devices. Removable batteries also require an extra layer of protection which adds more weight and chunk in the smartphone.
To expand for more real estate in the phone without increasing the device size, creating more small-sized form factor batteries sealed inside the phones is thus a major resolve.
To further optimize how the space inside smartphones is used, manufacturers have even changed the design of the batteries inside gadgets by incorporating non-rectangular battery designs. The square or rectangular shape of the removable battery gave them easy installation and replacement. But the ability to make batteries which can blend right in the hardware allows them to make lightweight devices with better design.
Better use of space
Much of this space saved is what is being utilized to add more features in smartphones like sensors, triple camera, and face detection. It helps in achieving a minimal thin, and sleek design.
Despite the fact that phone manufacturers are moving away from removable batteries, it doesn’t mean they are perfect. I still miss the ease of removing batteries when they’re about to die and replace them so that I can keep my phone up and running. But with non-removable batteries, it’s not possible.
It’s time to move on!
In conclusion, non-removable batteries have cons too. One major disadvantage of inbuilt batteries in most cases when the battery spoils, the phone often dies along with it. Replacement of in-built batteries also requires expertise, and for that purpose, you’ve to visit a repairing facility. However, the replaceable batteries are easy to replace, and you can change them on the go when they’re no longer healthy.
Also read: Complete Guide to Save Battery on Android (2019)
But generally speaking, I’m in for non-removable batteries. They’ve more pros than cons, so why not. I do miss them, but that doesn’t mean they were perfect. It’s time to move on!
How do you feel about manufacturers ditching non-removable batteries? Let us know what you think.