[tomcam]

With respect, then, why do you think iPhone or iPad batteries can’t be replaced by the average user after a decade and a half?

[Schiendelman]

Waterproofing. It really is that simple. The math would never work out trading that for easy replaceability. And every average user can get a shop to replace their battery.

[shiroiushi]

The old Samsung Galaxy S5 was waterproof and had a user-replaceable battery, so your argument doesn't hold water.

[Gigachad]

Waterproofing isn't a yes/no feature. Modern phones are way more waterproof and dust resistant than the S5. The plastic back on the S5 would quickly develop cracks that would let water in.

[shiroiushi]

Sure, it wasn't perfect, but it showed that it can be done, and it's not particularly difficult either. An improved design could have a metal back panel instead of plastic, it could use screws instead of plastic snaps, etc. (And with most people using cases, who cares about visible screws?)

[Schiendelman]

It was really not waterproof. It was IP67, which is far from the IP68 almost all phones have today. https://phandroid.com/2014/04/21/galaxy-s5-ip67-meaning/

[qup]

If it's waterproof and you get the water on the inside, it should in fact hold water

[tomcam]

I thought waterproofing came late to iPhones, like version 7 or 8. What would the reason be before that given environmentalism as a strong motivator?

[dwaite]

Getting a professional who will properly dispose of a battery is more environmentally conscious, and supports the local economy?

[philistine]

For the same reason I can't replace the battery on my electric car (not the 9V one). Because the car maker made that choice, for a myriad of good and bad reasons. What's your point?

[saintfire]

I would think the point was already made: The decision is not environmentally friendly.

That aside, comparing a phone battery to an high-voltage high-amperage battery is a bit of an apples to oranges.

[tomcam]

I feel you. I just bought an exceptionally boring car in large part because it is meant to be largely user-serviceable. Sorry you got stuck with that problem.

My point was that GP made a strong assertion that didn’t quite bear up to scrutiny IMHO:

> I say this as someone who worked several years in engineering at Apple, and they were extremely environmentally conscientious years before it was a thing.

It seems to me that an “extremely environmentally conscientious” company would place a much higher priority on serviceability. But I am very open to contrary reasoning and I don’t know any Apple engineers. This was a rare opportunity.

I hasten to say that Apple products are so good I overlook this disadvantage, but then I don’t describe myself as extremely environmentally conscientious.