Not this again :). Just taking a random example: the Samsung S5 was IPX67 rated (up to 1m for 30min), was thinner than an iPhone 16, and had a replaceable battery. Admittedly, it has fewer mAh, but it's also older battery technology and the volume of the phone case is slightly smaller (and probably has bigger electronics).
Is should be totally possible to make a good 2024 flagship with replaceable batteries, but we'd have to forgo the fancy glass back panels.
The problem with this logic is that phones are complicated and have a lot of constraints. Phone design inherently involves numerous tradeoffs.
So... of course it's possible for manufacturers like Apple and Samsung to create a thin, waterproof phone with no-tool battery replacement.
But at a cost to other features.
The market has shown repeatedly that few consumers value no-tool battery replacements, relative to various other features they'd have to give up to get it. People are voting with their wallets and it doesn't make sense for Apple, Samsung, etc., to build phones people don't really want.
(Kidding. I did love mine and I did not protect it, and I'm sure it got rained on many times, but I don't know if I ever literally hosed water through it. :)
microtonal|1 year ago
Is should be totally possible to make a good 2024 flagship with replaceable batteries, but we'd have to forgo the fancy glass back panels.
jmull|1 year ago
The problem with this logic is that phones are complicated and have a lot of constraints. Phone design inherently involves numerous tradeoffs.
So... of course it's possible for manufacturers like Apple and Samsung to create a thin, waterproof phone with no-tool battery replacement.
But at a cost to other features.
The market has shown repeatedly that few consumers value no-tool battery replacements, relative to various other features they'd have to give up to get it. People are voting with their wallets and it doesn't make sense for Apple, Samsung, etc., to build phones people don't really want.
Wytwwww|1 year ago
Plastic is just meh.. I'd rather have an unrepairable device than one made of plastic.
(We can't have metal because of the wireless charging)
ratiolat|1 year ago
AshamedCaptain|1 year ago
When they remove the battery cover -- "oh, waterproofing"
When they glue the battery amd remove all screws -- "oh, waterproofing"
When they eventually require an approved persons blood sample to perform repair, will I also hear the "oh, waterproofing" thing?
Brian_K_White|1 year ago
(Kidding. I did love mine and I did not protect it, and I'm sure it got rained on many times, but I don't know if I ever literally hosed water through it. :)
bluescrn|1 year ago
Older devices could generally handle splashes, e.g being used in light rain. Water damage seemed far less likely than drop damage.
throwaway48540|1 year ago