Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Removable Or Not - that's the question.

 

Whenever something  works well for me, it gradually disappears from the market - gets discontinued, as they say.

My android smarthphone is 7 years old. Lately, its battery has been showing signs of  'getting south' : the phone is slower, sometimes it shuts down unexpectedly, things like that. It's a removable kind of battery, and this is how I like it, as it gives me control over the phone. If I feel something is wrong , I open the case, take out the battery , leave it out for 10-15 minutes, then put it back - and voila!  Everything is fine.

During the last years, very few phones come with a removable battery. In  my neck of the woods these phones are almost inexistent ( except perhaps some Nokia types, which don't connect to Hi-Fi).  The manufacturers "blame" it on the consummer. The later, they say, likes the non-removable battery as this makes the device  slimmer, more sophisticated, allowing use of premium materials .

A non-removable battery, as opposed to a removable one, is glued and screwed into the internals of the phone. Only an expert who has the proper tools, can  take it out to replace it.  This costs money, of course, and makes one dependant on the lab.  and the technician. 

So far, I haven't  managed to get a new battery to replace the current one.  Over the years, my phone has had several falls, and I don't want last moment surprises. So, I'm facing now the reality of buying a new one, with ... a non-removable battery.                                

                                              yes. I love my phone  (AI)



57 comments:

  1. I hear you, Duta. Lately I feel like technology has it in for me -- the phone, the computer, streaming... it's like tech is allergic to me! And yes, trying to get a replacement battery or similar is almost impossible. Good luck -- I think you may need it. We all do!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Since you've mentioned computer - I work on a desk computer. If there's some trouble, I try to help myself by moving or replacing a cable, or by opening the case and check whether everything is in its slot.
      The manufacturers wish everyone to work on a laptop : get a new brand often, depend on the lab. and technician for eery little thing.

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  2. I have an Android phone, but not a removable battery, so when it goes, it goes. It wasn't expensive, but mine's about four years old, so it may not go much longer. I don't like the stress of a new phone!

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    1. I don't like the stress of a new one too; that's one of the reasons I'll try to prolong the life of the old one.

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  3. I don't own a mobile phone...life can be difficult though without one. Hope that you find a new battery for your phone.

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    1. Thanks Angie. The prospects of finding one are not good.

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  4. I haven't had that trouble with my phone - BUT just about everything I love - gets discontinued - lol - if I like it - count on it!

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    1. Keep on keeping trouble away from your phone, Sandi! I've really come to dislike this word - 'discontinued'.

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  5. My phone is also having some issues and I hate trying to get a new one. They are not cheap and you just never know how they'll be until you start using it.

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    1. Most of us are hesitant about getting a new phone; price is also not encouraging.

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  6. As you know I just upgraded mine. I feel your pain. I loved my old phone and there was really nothing wrong with it, but I was able to upgrade for free, just paying the fees and this one has a larger screen and they let me keep the old one. I hope that you will be able to get a new battery and that it will work as before, it's not fun to learn a new phone as I am finding out.

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    1. Well, yours is an I-phone. Apple's smartphones are another story. Anyway, enjoy your newly upgraded phone, Alicia!

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  7. Nowadays everything is done to last a short time and then throw it away. Duta, in 2013 I wrote something about it. I leave you the link in case you want to read it. https://norma2-siempreesprimavera-norma2.blogspot.com/2013/05/cuando-las-cosas-duraban-para-toda-la.html

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    1. You're absolutely right, Norma! Thanks for the link to your post on that. I'll definitely read it.

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  8. Although you would incur a tech fee, if there's an independent phone repair store near you the technician might have the resources to find a new battery for your current phone.

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    1. I'm not giving up, Kathy. Maybe I'll get lucky. The phone still works. With a new battery it might even go on for a few more years.

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  9. I'm resisting getting a new phone, too, Duta. I'll hang onto it as long as I possibly can.
    Blessings!

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    1. As long as it works, you' re doing the right thing.Hugs and blessings!

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  10. Isn't it just the way? Manufacturers do this to us all the time and I really dislike it. What ever happened to functionality and practicality over "fashion"? I don't know what it is like there for you, but here our major appliances are made to last five years at the best. I'm dreading the day my 30+ year old refrigerator dies.

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    1. True Dianna. Appliances are not made to last. Manufacturers don't even hide their intentions any more. No shame it all.

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  11. Am hoping my phone continues to charge. It is an I-phone 5 and now the latest one came out I believe being an I-phone 13. I dont want to get a new one either. Good luck with yours. Janice

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    1. I-phone has Apple behind it, which means a lot to the user - that is, integration with Apple's various devices. I've never owned an I-phone. I'm loyal to Android.

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  12. Good luck. I new a new phone too. I don't think I will ever go back to the iPhone, but I keep putting it off too. These phones just get more and more expensive. And I hate to go back to the phone place too just because I dread finding out how much I will pay even if they say I'm getting a deal.

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    1. I suppose I-phones are expensive. One could find decent prices among the Android phones. It depends on what your needs are.
      My needs are quite simple, and a removable battery would completely satisfy me.

      Delete
  13. I hate change will happily stick with the same things as long as they last. But they do make improvements so change is good. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Most people are unaware or indifferent to improvements. What may be considered an improvement by one user, maybe a near disaster (the non-removable battery i.e. ) by another one.

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  14. I am slow to learn new devices and always have been. I tend to hang on to the old ones until they gasp their last breath. Good luck with a new phone!

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    1. Most of us are, and try to hold on to the old one until its 'last breath'. Thanks, Marie, for wishing me good luck with buying a new phone.

      Delete
  15. I remember the days of replacing the battery on the phone but the battery never lasted long.
    Technology moves on so we also have to more with it or be left behind or without.
    I've got a Samsung, did have an iphone some time back but didn't care for it but I do have a iPad if you can work that one out!

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    1. Perhaps you shouldn't have replaced it, if it was removable - just taking it out for ten minutes and put it back. Mine is 7 years old, and it started 'going south' just lately.

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  16. Hola Duta, hace dos años me tuve que comprar uno nuevo y ya no encontré con bateria extraíble que son las que me gustan a mi también.

    Un abrazo.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Sadly, no removable batteries on the market during the last 2-3 years.

      Delete
  17. I was forced into buying a new phone when my service provider went from 4 G to 5G and switched from T Mobile to AT and T. I was able to activate the phone using Facebook to chat with my provider but now Facebook has locked me out...there are so many downsides to advancing technology.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Can't you contact your provider using what's app? Or you could type your problem in the internet search box, and you'll get answers.

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  18. Ik have a handy son. He can fix phones because he worked in a phone shop.

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    1. That's great, Aritha! So, you've got the expert in the family.

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  19. It really bothers me that technology is so fragile and doesn't last very long. Built in obsolescence is a terrible thing.

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    1. I totally agree with you, Lorrie. It's bothering and worrying. Can we do something about it? I'm afraid, we consumers are too indifferent to that, and manufacturers take advantage of our indifference.

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  20. Hola Duta. Tengo un Xiaomi Redmi y me va bien con él, es muy normalito y tiene bateria extraible. Estoy contenta con él me hace muy buenas fotos. Si es cierto que hay que recargarlo con frecuencia.
    Buen jueves.
    Un abrazo.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I've checked the Redmi phones and I found no one with removable battery among them.
      Glad you're happy with it, Laura.

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  21. Things just don't last like they used to.

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    1. You may say that again, Mary ,as it's quite true.

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  22. Both Eddie and I have older phones, which we are hoping will last a little longer.

    Younger family members seem to change/update their phones quite regularly.

    All the best Jan

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  23. Are non-removable batteries always safe, even in falls? This is a current issue for me too.

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    1. Batteries are tough items.The fall disrupts the working of the phone, but after I leave the battery out for a while, and put it back - the phone goes on as usual.

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  24. Technology moves too quickly for me, I just get to grips with one thing and then they no longer make them and things have moved on. I hate getting a new phone and having to learn everything all over again.

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    1. Exactly - 'technology moves too quickly for most of us. It takes time to adjust and learn, and we aren't given that time. It's the money that plays a role here - buying often new items, paying technicians for work, etc...

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  25. I thought the primary reason batteries are no longer removeable was a safety issue. Phones were catching on fire because people didn't do things properly. 7 years is a long time for a battery to last. Way back I had a phone that came with an extra battery, which was great. You could double the time between charging. Good luck. The cost of the new phones will be a shocker to you, they've really gotten more expensive.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Well, we consumers are credulous, and will easily believe what we are told.
      An extra battery is indeed great. If I could get hold of the proper battery, I'll keep the current one till it no longer charges. But, sadly, the manufacturers have closed upon us.

      Delete
  26. Replies
    1. Thank you. I do need luck to buy something which I don't think is good for me - a phone with a non-removable battery.

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  27. O problema dos produtos descontinuados é que tanto podem voltar como nunca mais aparecerem no mercado.
    Neste caso temos que decidir por outras soluções.
    Abraço de amizade.
    Juvenal Nunes

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Not easy decisions. I might order from Amazon or Ebay - but we have currently problems with the post services. While I can order a battery, ordering a smartphone is a bit of a venture.

      Delete
  28. These days most things re built with planned obsolescence in mind. My iPhone also has a non-removeable battery, well actually it could be removed and replace, but not by myself, instead a qualified technician. Good luck in finding a replacement phone, Duta, not an easy task.

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    1. 'Obsolescence' - is a new english word for me, and I don't like its meaning. It makes life more difficult for some people.
      Thanks for wishing me good luck.

      Delete
  29. El mio es un Samsung de hace cinco años, y hasta hoy no he tenido problemas, y aunque no estoy seguro creo que la batería es extraible, y creo que lo has dicho muy claro y bien, en lo de los fijos, todo es para que tengas que pasar por los servicios técnicos y pagar la consiguiente factura. En una ocasión se me cayó a la piscina dos o tres segundos, e hice lo que me dijeron, sin encenderlo lo metí en arroz, durante doce horas, y al final siguió funcionando como de costumbre.
    Un abrazo y espero encuentres esa batería.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Mine is an LG, bought in 2016. It still works, thank God.
      Thank you for the tip with placing the device on rice for 12 hours. Anything that helps is worth knowing about.

      Delete