Apple is developing a secret plan that could revolutionize its future iPhone models for its 1.46 billion users.
The tech giant is reportedly working to make it easier to replace batteries that currently require tweezers and a specialized machine by coating the power source with metal instead of foil, also known as “adhesive-induced peeling.”
The swap would allow people to remove the battery with a small shock of electricity with a direct current power supply, which is used to test and charge electronic devices and is widely available for purchase.
The battery upgrade could be added this year to at least one model of the iPhone 16 launching in September and expanded to all versions of the iPhone 17 next year.
Apple is reportedly working to make it easier to replace batteries that currently require tweezers and a specialized machine to remove them.
The change to replace iPhone batteries could be introduced in the iPhone 16 that will be released in September
Before the iPhone, replacing a battery was as simple as removing the back cover of the phone with a finger and removing the battery before inserting a new one, but today’s Apple phones require specialized tools just to open the back of the device.
“I would love to see Apple innovate to improve repairability,” said Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, a device repair website. 9to5Mac.
“Glue is the bane of modern device repair, and any strategy that helps reverse adhesives is welcome.”
New technology would allow people at home to easily remove the battery, Information reported.
Currently, smartphone batteries are held in place with adhesive strips to make them more waterproof and prevent water from spreading throughout the device.
It is unclear whether the new method of electrically induced adhesive release will provide the same protection.
With standard iPhones, users must purchase a $50 Apple repair tool kit and use the provided tweezers and solvent to slowly and carefully remove the adhesive tape.
They will then need to use a specialized machine called a battery press to lock the new battery in place.
The alternative is to take the iPhone to an Apple technician, which will cost you approximately $99 to remove and replace the battery.
The new technology will encase the battery in metal, which can be removed by applying a small electrical shock with a direct current power supply that is used for testing and charging electronic devices and is widely available for purchase.
Currently, iPhone users need to purchase an Apple repair kit to replace the battery for $50 or take the iPhone to an Apple technician, which will cost approximately $99.
iPhone users have complained about how difficult the process is, with one person writing on Reddit: “I think we ALL know Apple’s position on everything it makes.” Build in redundancy and rip off customers.
‘Either you pay an ‘Apple-approved’ engineer to replace the battery at a ridiculously high price, or you say ‘to hell with it’ and shell out money for a new iPhone.’
These complaints have continued for years, as another person on X wrote in 2019: ‘After 3 years of heavy use, I had to replace the battery in my iPhone SE. How stupid it is stuck!
‘It should be much easier, like it was with the iPhone 4. I wonder how many people buy a new phone when the battery is low, even if it’s just a replacement part ($21). What a waste of resources!’
Apple’s move comes at a time when EU legislation could require the company to make it easier for users to replace batteries by 2025.
DailyMail.com has contacted Apple for comment on the update.