Apple has confirmed to publications including Engadget that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a new electrically-induced battery removal process.
The batteries use a type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current, such as from a 9V battery, according to Apple. The battery can then be easily removed from the devices, with this new process considered to be easier than the adhesive pull tabs that are found under batteries in some previous iPhone models.
This news seemingly confirms that the batteries in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have metal enclosures, which should be revealed in teardowns soon.
Notably, the electrically-induced battery removal process does not extend to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, according to TechCrunch.
It was previously reported that Apple was planning to make the batteries easier to remove in iPhone 16 models to comply with EU law. Apple previously announced that all four iPhone 16 models received an internal redesign for improved repairability and better heat dissipation, but specific details were not known until now.
All four iPhone 16 models launch on Friday.
Top Rated Comments
there is no reason we can't go back to the way old phones connected batteries.
if they are worried about the battery moving then have it clip in or stick a tiny bit of adhesive but it shouldn't really be an issue... it's not like the battery has any space to move lol. that way all you gotta do is remove the screen and easily pull the battery out.
If you're angry about the tiny upgrade, direct your hatred at the European Parliament. This would never have been possible in the States.
/s
I get where you're coming from, but I don't think plastic backed phones are gonna fly with the vast majority of people anymore. They could make the back easier to get off, but with all the magnetic charging and fancy stuff in there now, it seems about as easy as it could be. It's going to be more complicated no matter how you slice it because the phone itself is just more complicated now.
As for this glue specifically, it sounds like an improvement if it comes off easily and cleanly, which seems to have been an issue in many teardowns I've seen. With the tiny spaces they're working with, to be able to use a small precise amount helps a lot.