The European Union is making its next move. Fresh off compelling Apple to abandon its proprietary charging port in favor of USB-C, Brussels is now setting its sights on what’s inside your device. User-replaceable batteries are making a comeback, and the clock is ticking faster than most people realize. The mandate takes effect on February 18, 2027. Any new smartphone or tablet hitting EU shelves from that date forward must allow everyday users to remove and replace the battery themselves, using nothing more than standard, widely available tools. On top of that, manufacturers will be required to keep spare batteries in stock for a minimum of five years after a model is discontinued. The logic driving the policy is straightforward. The majority of people replace their phones not because the device has failed them, but because the battery has. EU projections suggest this shift could put roughly €20 billion back in consumers’ pockets by the end of the decade. Apple, Samsung, and Google are already reworking their 2027 lineups to meet the requirement, and since none of them want to maintain entirely separate hardware for different markets, the redesigns are expected to roll out globally. The so-called “Brussels Effect” is doing what it does best: turning regional regulation into a worldwide industry standard. There is one notable caveat: the regulation carves out an exemption for batteries that meet a high durability threshold, and Apple’s more recent iPhones may already clear that bar. Other manufacturers, however, have considerably more ground to cover. The bottom line: by 2027, there’s a good chance your phone will outlast its original battery, wherever in the world you happen to buy it. © Reddit #archaeohistories