Apple is reportedly exploring new technology to simplify battery replacement in future iPhone models. This development comes amidst speculations that the Cupertino company is redesigning its battery casing to make it easier to detach from the iPhone, potentially in response to upcoming EU regulations that may require removable batteries in electronic devices.
According to a report from The Information (via 9to5Mac), Apple is working on a technology called “electrically induced adhesive debonding.” This innovation would allow users to remove the iPhone battery by applying a small jolt of electricity, effectively “debonding” the adhesive that holds the battery in place. This information comes from sources familiar with Apple’s plans.
Currently, iPhone batteries are secured with adhesive strips and covered in foil, requiring users to use tweezers to extract the battery from the device’s chassis—an unfriendly process detailed on Apple’s support page. The new technology could involve encasing the battery in metal rather than foil, making it easier to remove and replace. However, Apple will reportedly continue to advise against users attempting repairs themselves.
The report indicates that Apple may introduce this easier-to-replace battery technology in one model from the upcoming iPhone 16 series this year, with the possibility of extending it to all models in the following year. Last year, an image of a purported iPhone 16 Pro battery with a metal shell was leaked online, hinting at this potential development.
