Editing Battery Serialization

{{Infobox|title=Battery Serialization and Glued Batteries|image=glued_battery.jpg|caption=Modern phone battery glued in place, requiring heat and solvents to remove|type=Hardware Restriction|companies=Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi|introduced=2007 (iPhone), widespread by 2015|affected=5+ billion devices|repair_cost=$70-150 (vs $15-30 for battery)}}

'''Battery serialization''' and '''non-replaceable batteries''' refer to practices where manufacturers either cryptographically pair batteries to motherboards or physically prevent battery replacement through adhesives and design.

== Overview ==
Batteries are consumable components with finite charge cycles (typically 500-1000). Making them non-replaceable transforms entire devices into disposable products when batteries degrade after 2-3 years.

== Methods of Prevention ==

=== Physical Prevention ===

* '''Strong adhesive strips''': Require heat guns and solvents
* '''Buried placement''': Must remove all components to access
* '''Fragile pull-tabs''': Break 70% of time per iFixit data
* '''Pentalobe screws''': Proprietary screws requiring special tools

=== Software Prevention ===

* '''Serialization''': Battery paired to motherboard
* '''Health reporting disabled''': Non-genuine battery warnings
* '''Performance throttling''': Reduced speed with third-party battery
* '''Feature disabling''': Battery percentage hidden

== Historical Context ==

=== Before 2007 ===

* All phones had user-replaceable batteries
* Spare batteries common for travelers
* 30-second battery swap
* Batteries cost $15-30 retail

=== The Transition ===

* '''2007''': iPhone launches with non-removable battery
* '''2009-2012''': Android phones maintain removable batteries
* '''2013-2015''': Premium Android phones follow Apple
* '''2016+''': Even budget phones adopt sealed designs

== Apple Battery Serialization ==

=== iPhone XS/XR and Later ===

* Batteries contain Texas Instruments BQ27546 fuel gauge
* Microcontroller authenticates with Secure Element
* Even genuine Apple battery from identical model shows warnings
* Requires proprietary software to "pair" replacement battery

=== "Important Battery Message" ===
Warning displayed even with genuine Apple battery:

* "Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple battery"
* Battery Health disabled
* Settings shows persistent notification
* Resale value decreased

== Samsung's Implementation ==

* Started battery pairing with Galaxy S20 series (2020)
* Service mode required for calibration
* Third-party batteries trigger Knox security void
* Samsung Care+ void with non-authorized repair

== Cost Analysis ==

=== Actual Battery Costs ===

* Raw lithium cell: $3-5 wholesale
* With controller board: $8-12
* Retail with margin: $15-30

=== Service Costs ===

* Apple Store: $69-99 + tax
* Samsung authorized: $70-120
* Independent repair: $40-60 (if possible)
* Environmental disposal fee: $5-15

== Planned Obsolescence Evidence ==

=== Designed Lifespan ===

* Batteries rated for 500 cycles
* Average user: 1.2 cycles/day
* Expected failure: 14-18 months
* Warranty period: 12 months
* Correlation: Not coincidental

=== iPhone Performance Throttling Scandal (2017) ===

* iOS 10.2.1 secretly throttled phones with degraded batteries
* Discovered by Reddit user TeckFire
* Class action lawsuits in 30+ countries
* Apple settled for $500 million
* Admitted slowing phones but claimed "for stability"

== Environmental Impact ==

=== E-Waste Statistics ===

* 5.3 billion phones discarded due to battery issues (2010-2023)
* Each phone contains 15-20g of lithium
* 100,000 tons of lithium in landfills
* Could have been prevented with $20 replacement

=== Carbon Footprint ===

* Manufacturing new phone: 70-90kg CO2
* Replacing battery: 0.5kg CO2
* Ratio: 140:1

== Legal Challenges ==

=== Right to Repair Legislation ===

* EU: Mandating replaceable batteries by 2027
* Washington State: HB 1392 requires parts availability
* New York: Electronics Right to Repair Act (weakened version passed)

=== Lawsuits ===

* '''Planned Obsolescence''' - France convicted Apple (2020)
* '''Battery Throttling''' - Worldwide settlements totaling $950M
* '''Warranty Void''' - Magnuson-Moss violations ongoing

== Consumer Workarounds ==

=== Heat Method ===
1. Heat phone to 60°C 2. Use isopropyl alcohol around edges 3. Slowly pry battery (fire risk) 4. Success rate: ~60%

=== Third-Party Programming ===

* Battery programmer devices ($150-300)
* Copy original battery data
* Bypasses serialization
* Legal gray area

== Industry Resistance Quotes ==
> "User-replaceable batteries would make phones thicker" - Apple (Reality: iPhone 15 is thicker than iPhone 6 which could have had removable battery)

> "Safety concerns with user replacement" - Samsung (Reality: Millions safely swapped batteries for decades)

> "Water resistance requires sealed design" - Google (Reality: Galaxy S5 had both)

== See Also ==

* [[Parts Pairing]]
* [[Planned Obsolescence]]
* [[Battery Chemistry Degradation]]
* [[Right to Repair Movement]]
* [[E-Waste Crisis]]

== References ==
[1] iFixit Repairability Scores 2007-2023 [2] Battery University - Lithium Ion Degradation [3] EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 [4] Apple Battery Gate Documents