How Does Non-Removable Batteries Come into Being?

By Carrie Tsai,  Last Updated: July 15, 2019

Non-removable batteries were virtually unheard of in the past. Nowadays, however, we are no stranger to them since Apple has launched its very first iPhone. So why does this innovation exists?

Apple invents the non-removable batteries

We may still remember that when smartphones are not yet popular, and almost everyone uses dumbphone, the batteries are designed as removable. Because one certain type of batteries can be used on varies dumbphones. So there is no need to invent a battery for a new phone.

Nonetheless, when the development of smartphones reached a certain stage, there are numerous brands of batteries and the quality is not guaranteed. Chances are that you phone battery may explode, therefore people place more emphasizes on original batteries.

As a result, Apple designs its iPhone with non-removable batteries and opened up a new era of smartphone batteries.

Why do manufacturers prefer non-removable batteries?

As for the new phones in 2018, almost all of them are with non-removable batteries. But most of us may still miss phone with removable ones. So why exactly is this happening? Are manufacturers just jump on the bandwagon?

As a matter of fact, this phenomenon can be explained by a combination of factors.

1. Make it slimmer and meet the needs of those who are after perfectionism

Because generally slim and light phones are not able to simply satisfy them, they are in pursuit of both light weight and high-end performance of smartphones. As a result, non-removable batteries are a must. Compared to their removable counterpart, they will take up less space while maintain the excellent performance, thus improving user experience to a large extent.

2. Great sealing and better waterproof and dustproof performance

The design of non-removable batteries can better maintain the integration and integrity of smartphones. Seamless connection between the back and the front cover of phones can be waterproof and dustproof.

Waterproof here, means that when cell phones are used in a long period of humidity condition, it can effectively prevent water vapor from invading the inside of the mobile phone and cause further damage to components and circuit board.

3. The battery technology is more trustworthy

Ever since cell phones have emerged, the battery lifespan is always what we concern about. When removable batteries still enjoyed popularity in the past, cell phone battery replacement is easy whenever there is any problem occurs.

However, moving into the non-removable design, it is pretty hard to change batteries. Luckily, the technology nowadays enable the high-quality of non-removable batteries. Otherwise none would willing to run the risk, purchasing new phones without removable batteries.

4. Improve cell phone performance

In the past, every times we remove the battery from the phone, battery contacts are exposed to the air and they will be easily oxidized if lasts for a long time, in particularly under the humility condition. All of these will lead to poor contact of cell phone batteries and worse still, irregular restart could happen.

Moreover, the back cover of cell phone will get loose and the gap will be widened if it was removed regularly, thus leading to extremely poor experience.

5. Save costs

With the increasing improvement of cell performance and ever-increasing demand from users, smartphone power consumption and its screen size are also gradually increasing, which requires for a larger battery capacity and higher cost is inevitable.

As a result, most manufacturers want to cut costs in order to gain more profits. And you will gradually notice that the standards are becoming less when purchasing cell phones.

6. Shorten the phone replacement cycle

Generally speaking, the life span of lithium battery is 2-3 years, when the batteries were still removable, once the battery doesn’t work, replacing it with another one can solve the problem. However, as for its non-removable counterparts, it is really troublesome to replace it. So this feature may contribute to the shorter phone replacement cycle and provide manufacturers more opportunities to gain profits.

The advantages of non-removable batteries, as I have mentioned above, basically are greater experience and more excellent cell phone performance. However, just like each coin has two sides, the opposite face should not be ignored.

The disadvantages of non-removable batteries

1. Damage to the battery

Since we can not replace the battery inside the phone, we can just charging regularly in order to maintain the power. However it will cause reduction of phone efficacy.

2. The high maintenance cost

Take iPhone for example, it will cost as much as 100 dollars for maintenance of broken lithium battery, more expensive than replacing with original imported one.

3. Worries about long trip

If you are going to a long trip, you must bring a power bank otherwise your cell phone will quickly run out of power.

Conclusion

Though non-Removable Batteries are a double-edged sword, the good far outweigh the bad. After all, this innovation bring us great convenience and enable us to enjoy boon brought by advanced technology. In the future, a new round of technological innovation may be promising.