Current Events > Do you think it should be illegal for phone manufacturers to glue them shut?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I remember back in the day being able to replace my phone batteries. Now they become paperweights unless you have the skill and tools to pry one open and disassemble half the innards.

Things like batteries, storage, screens, and even USB-C ports should be easily replaceable by the customer. How is it they're selling $1k+ devices and making them impossible for the average person to repair or upgrade? How many phones end up in landfills?

Yes. No product should make battery replacement difficult

Sure. Lets ban laptops with any kind of glue as well while were at it and move to room sized desktop computers where every single component can be replaced by the consumer.

There are quite a few phones with user replaceable parts. But people don't buy them because they want the form factor and branding of the ones that don't.

So, given that you have the option, no, I don't think it should be illegal.

ai123 posted...

There are quite a few phones with user replaceable parts. But people don't buy them because they want the form factor and branding of the ones that don't.

So, given that you have the option, no, I don't think it should be illegal.

The ones with replaceable batteries are probably very rare because I haven't seen one in years. Anyway Europe disagrees with you. They passed a law banning non replaceable batteries in phones. I just hope it happens in America too

Zikten posted...

The ones with replaceable batteries are probably very rare because I haven't seen one in years. Anyway Europe disagrees with you. They passed a law banning non replaceable batteries in phones. I just hope it happens in America too

Here are some:

https://www.androidcentral.com/best-android-phone-removable-battery

It shouldnt be illegal.
Zikten posted...

The ones with replaceable batteries are probably very rare because I haven't seen one in years. Anyway Europe disagrees with you. They passed a law banning non replaceable batteries in phones. I just hope it happens in America too

Europe passing dumbass laws is a thing to be expected though.

Two swings and a miss. One more and youre gonna strike out @uwnim

uwnim posted...

It shouldnt be illegal.

Europe passing dumbass laws is a thing to be expected though.

You sound jealous tbh. Cant wait for the stricter farming and nature rules myself.

Eh. I'm kinda on the fence about it. I see why it'd be good to have the option of a phone where everything is replaceable, but I also definitely see how it's not an issue to many people. Ideal would be some compromise where major manufacturers have to offer a user-fixable model but can also offer a sealed one, but that would be far too complex to sort out the specifics of.

Zwijn posted...

Sure. Lets ban laptops with any kind of glue as well while were at it and move to room sized desktop computers where every single component can be replaced by the consumer.

Shoe size IQ take.

Didnt Apple get sued for this years ago

Unsuprised_Pika posted...

Shoe size IQ take.

Ok bro, where is the line then? OP was talking about even being able to replace screens themselves. Why not go for every component then? I am fine with phones like this existing, but making it mandatory would severely change form factors, just like it does for all laptops where all this stuff is replaceable vs glued. Many people would have issues with that.

It is highly anti-consumer.

Our media and their parent companies are far more invested in running ads for the phone manufacturers and carriers than they are in doing consumer advocacy and awareness.

So we won't see much pushback.

Zwijn posted...

Many people would have issues with that.

I don't know who would have an actual problem with a phone where you can replace parts, or even upgrade some of those parts, instead of buying a whole new phone when a single part failed.

DnDer posted...

I don't know who would have an actual problem with a phone where you can replace parts, or even upgrade some of those parts, instead of buying a whole new phone when a single part failed.

Those arent the only options are they? You can have many companies repair your phone and still have a good form factor. A new battery for my XS Max would cost me 99 with the official Apple support, cheaper if I let one of the many random companies like phoneworld or dynafix do it.

What if I want a phone that I can't get inside? I don't want my kid doing something stupid and getting inside their phone and eating a battery. Should i not be able to purchase a device that he most definitely cant access the inards?

Jiek_Fafn posted...

What if I want a phone that I can't get inside? I don't want my kid doing something stupid and getting inside their phone and eating a battery. Should i not be able to purchase a device that he most definitely cant access the inards?

If your kid has the ability and inclination to swallow a big phone battery you should probably keep them muzzled when not within your eyesight. There are many other more swallowable things around the house than that.

Zwijn posted...

Those arent the only options are they? You can have many companies repair your phone and still have a good form factor. A new battery for my XS Max would cost me 99 with the official Apple support, cheaper if I let one of the many random companies like phoneworld or dynafix do it.

That still requires the phone components to be serviceable and replaceable.

And phone companies have fought tooth and nail to prevent companies like Dynafix from being able to service your phone.

"Right to repair" isn't about you personally repairing the device. It's about having a device that can be accessed, upgraded, or repaired at all, however the consumer chooses--at home, or at a company like you listed.

But the device must be accessible first.

DnDer posted...

That still requires the phone components to be serviceable and replaceable.

And phone companies have fought tooth and nail to prevent companies like Dynafix from being able to service your phone.

"Right to repair" isn't about you personally repairing the device. It's about having a device that can be accessed, upgraded, or repaired at all, however the consumer chooses--at home, or at a company like you listed.

But the device must be accessible first.

Yeah Im not arguing against stuff being fixable, Im saying making stuff mandatory to be fixable by people at home would be too big of a step, at least thats how I read the OP. Like the vast majority of tech I have cannot be fixed like that and that includes stuff thats decades and decades old.

LeoRavus posted...

If your kid has the ability and inclination to swallow a big phone battery you should probably keep them muzzled when not within your eyesight. There are many other more swallowable things around the house than that.

I'm not interested in purchasing a separate product though

Yes

Zwijn posted...

making stuff mandatory to be fixable by people at home would be too big of a step

By people at home is the same as by a kiosk at the mall. That's what I'm saying.

consumer electronics should be serviceable and repairable by consumers

Jiek_Fafn posted...

What if I want a phone that I can't get inside? I don't want my kid doing something stupid and getting inside their phone and eating a battery. Should i not be able to purchase a device that he most definitely cant access the inards?

...do you not have a single item in your house with removable batteries or something?

Zwijn posted...

Sure. Lets ban laptops with any kind of glue as well while were at it and move to room sized desktop computers where every single component can be replaced by the consumer.

Back in the day when youd buy a new vehicle, youd also get a manual on how to do repairs/replacements and the manufacturer would sell the parts to fix it yourself. Brain dead take from someone who never knew how we used to live lmao

Wait, newer laptops are glued shut like phones? I've repaired/replaced parts in every laptop I've owned. Not as easy as a desktop but they've been accessible.

Lordgold666 posted...

Back in the day when youd buy a new vehicle, youd also get a manual on how to do repairs/replacements and the manufacturer would sell the parts to fix it yourself. Brain dead take from someone who never knew how we used to live lmao

No, a brain dead take is saying this should be mandatory. Youre not reading posts well and all acting like this is black and white. Youre free to buy an ancient car as far as Im concerned, Ill take the modern car that only a specialist knows how to repair. Dont make rules for me.

Zwijn posted...

OP was talking about even being able to replace screens themselves. Why not go for every component then?

"Why not" indeed!

Zwijn posted...

Ill take the modern car that only a specialist knows how to repair.

If it's mandatory to be accessible to the specialist, it's mandatory to be accessible to you.

Again, the whole point is that anyone other than the company who built it is able to access and repair/replace/upgrade parts in it.

And that should be mandatory.

DnDer posted...

If it's mandatory to be accessible to the specialist, it's mandatory to be accessible to you.

Again, the whole point is that anyone other than the company who built it is able to access and repair/replace/upgrade parts in it.

And that should be mandatory.

That is not the premise of the original post.

I can't imagine the kind of brain rot that would lead somebody to say they want fewer rights as a consumer and want to be even more beholden to corporations and overpay for repairs/upgrades

Zwijn posted...

Sure. Lets ban laptops with any kind of glue as well while were at it and move to room sized desktop computers where every single component can be replaced by the consumer.

If you have a desktop, what parts are manufacturers arbitrarily restricting you from replacing?

uwnim posted...

It shouldnt be illegal.

Europe passing dumbass laws is a thing to be expected though.

How is making it so you can't force somebody to buy a new phone just because the battery is bad a "dumbass law"?

Gwynevere posted...

If you have a desktop, what parts are manufacturers arbitrarily restricting you from replacing?

The cat fur.

Replacing a battery isn't really repairing it. That's like saying you repaired your Gameboy by swapping out the disposable batteries. Even under full right to repair laws, the average phone will not be repairable by the average person. What it will do is create a third party aftermarket repair competition which will drive down the costs of repairing a phone. You'll still need someone what to do it unless you're a big tech head yourself. You'll also need companies to not use shit ass DRM to stop you from doing it. See: Tesla & Microsoft.

I don't think it should be common practice, but I wouldn't make it illegal either. The handful of people that actually need their phone to be somewhat water resistant really benefit from the fact that the glue is likely a big part of what allows them to seal the case enough to get the waterproof rating.

Tyranthraxus posted...

Replacing a battery isn't really repairing it.

With most of the big-name phones, attempting to replace the battery is like attempting to replace any other internal component. It's nothing like swapping Gameboy batteries. If you have a glued shut phone look up a video on replacing the battery.

LeoRavus posted...

With most of the big-name phones, attempting to replace the battery is like attempting to replace any other internal component. It's nothing like swapping Gameboy batteries. If you have a glued shut phone look up a video on replacing the battery.

The difficulty of this is just on the getting it open part. Once you've done that replacing the battery is basically the same. Maybe there's some screws or a special wire the battery has to connect to but it's trivial after actually opening the phone.

Tyranthraxus posted...

Replacing a battery isn't really repairing it. That's like saying you repaired your Gameboy by swapping out the disposable batteries. Even under full right to repair laws, the average phone will not be repairable by the average person. What it will do is create a third party aftermarket repair competition which will drive down the costs of repairing a phone. You'll still need someone what to do it unless you're a big tech head yourself. You'll also need companies to not use shit ass DRM to stop you from doing it. See: Tesla & Microsoft.

If the only thing wrong with it is a bad battery then it is most definitely repairing it.

Tyranthraxus posted...

The difficulty of this is just on the getting it open part. Once you've done that replacing the battery is basically the same. Maybe there's some screws or a special wire the battery has to connect to but it's trivial after actually opening the phone.

It's not really the same at all at any step. Here's what I'd have to do to replace my battery. I'm used to taking electronics apart and even I wouldn't want to do this. Getting the battery out is just as f'ed up as getting the phone open. Then you need to make sure it's glued back together correctly. You'll need several tools that most people probably don't have around the house.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGxmFqhpXaw

vote with your wallet

...but all phone companies are doing this now

you're not searching hard enough

Revelation34 posted...

How is making it so you can't force somebody to buy a new phone just because the battery is bad a "dumbass law"?

Most people dont care. Phones with user replaceable batteries do exist, but dont sell as well as those without it.

Sealed phones dont prevent repair shops from being able to replace batteries.

User replaceable batteries are bulkier, which means reduced capacity for a given size. If someone doesnt care about being able to replace batteries, theyd be forced to buy what theyd consider an inferior product.

EU reason is for reducing e-waste. Problem is that someone replacing their battery at home is more likely to throw the battery into the trash than a reputable repair shop.

Look at the Fairphone 5:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/5/5361d23b.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b7204609.jpg

Modular, user repairable, user upgradable. Even comes with the tools you need. Costs around 600.

How many people would choose it over an iPhone?

Gwynevere posted...

...do you not have a single item in your house with removable batteries or something?

The only item I can think of is my key fob. Having a hard time thinking of a single other example

ai123 posted...

Look at the Fairphone 5:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/5/5361d23b.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b7204609.jpg

Modular, user repairable, user upgradable. Even comes with the tools you need. Costs around 600.

How many people would choose it over an iPhone?

I'm sure not many people even know it exists because they want brands they're familiar with. If it wasn't for this topic I never would have heard of Fairphone.

Most people seem to buy their phones with a plan since you don't need hundreds of dollars upfront, and what phones come with a plan? It's pretty much exclusively brands like Samsung, iphone, Motorola, Pixel. The big names that are far from modular.

Right to repair should be more enforced. So wasteful otherwise