iPhone 16 Series: Enhanced Cooling, Easier Battery Replacement, But EU Regulations Remain a Concern

iPhone 16 Series: Enhanced Cooling, Easier Battery Replacement, But EU Regulations Remain a ConcernApple has released the iPhone 16 series, with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus featuring a new internal design that brings larger battery capacity, better cooling, and easier battery replacement. These changes not only improve the user experience but also address the upcoming European legislation on smartphone battery replaceability

iPhone 16 Series: Enhanced Cooling, Easier Battery Replacement, But EU Regulations Remain a Concern

Apple has released the iPhone 16 series, with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus featuring a new internal design that brings larger battery capacity, better cooling, and easier battery replacement. These changes not only improve the user experience but also address the upcoming European legislation on smartphone battery replaceability.

Apple confirmed in the press release for the iPhone 16 that the new internal design enables efficient heat dissipation and facilitates battery replacement. Previously, TheInformation reported that Apple would introduce a new battery replacement method in the iPhone 16 models, complying with the new European law. The EU mandates smartphone manufacturers to ensure users can easily replace batteries by June 2025.

While we still need to wait for teardowns to confirm the specific battery changes, TheInformation reports that Apple will use a new adhesive that is easier to remove. Previously, Apple typically used glue strips to secure the battery, which were difficult to handle. The new method might involve an electric-induced adhesive peel technology that removes the battery using low-voltage electricity. It is reported that images of the iPhone 16 battery's metal casing were leaked late last year, which might be used for the new battery removal technology and also improve thermal regulation.

It's important to note that Apple only mentioned easier battery repair in the iPhone 16 press release, not in the iPhone 16 Pro press release. Therefore, it's currently unclear if all models have adopted the same battery-related changes.

In addition to battery changes, Apple has also made adjustments to the thermal design of the iPhone 16 series. During the keynote, Apple detailed the cooling improvements in both models:

iPhone 16:

• Updated the main logic board, centralizing the chip and optimizing the surrounding structure.

• Added a cooling substructure made of 100% recycled aluminum.

• Game sustained performance increased by 30%.

iPhone 16 Pro:

• Features a new body made of 100% recycled aluminum, bonded to a titanium frame through solid-state diffusion, maximizing heat dissipation.

• Combined with a graphite-wrapped aluminum bottom structure, this creates an innovative architecture that improves sustained performance by 20%.

• Further optimized the back glass for enhanced heat dissipation.

Apple emphasizes that these cooling improvements are crucial for efficiently running advanced device features such as Apple Intelligence and high-performance gaming.

While Apple mentions thermal improvements on the iPhone 16 series product page, details about battery replacement are scarce. Notably, EU legislation has some exemptions that might apply to Apple. Devices with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, where the battery retains 83% of its capacity after 500 charges and 80% after 1000 charges, are not required to have easily replaceable batteries. Apple's iPhone 15 models meet the 1000 charge standard, and the iPhone 16 models likely do too. However, Apple has not provided data for the 500 charge requirement.

Even if Apple's iPhones meet these exemption criteria, it still needs to meet several requirements. The EU's overall requirements for smartphone batteries include:

• Fasteners should be included or reusable.

• The replacement process should be possible without any tools, a tool set provided with the product or spare parts, or basic tools.

• The replacement process should be able to be carried out in a user environment.

• Non-professionals should be able to complete the replacement process.

For smartphone batteries that meet the exemption criteria, the EU has stricter requirements:

• Fasteners should be detachable, resuppliable, or reusable.

• The replacement process should be possible without any tools, basic tools, a tool set provided with the product or spare parts, or commercially available tools.

• The replacement process should be able to be carried out in a workshop environment.

• The replacement procedure should be able to be performed by a general individual.

The new iPhone 16 will be available for pre-order this Friday at 5:00 AM Pacific time and will officially launch on Friday, September 20. For consumers, besides focusing on the performance improvements of the iPhone 16 series, it's also crucial to pay attention to how Apple meets EU regulations and whether the final battery replacement experience meets expectations.