[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by jago25_98

I agree. But I also disagree.

I agree that it's easier to just throw away working electronics and replace them as a consumer.
However, I think it's harder to deal with the damage that creates as a society.

Batteries may last a long time but they can't last forever. The need replacing at some point.

Also, what about instant recharge? On my drill I just swap the batteries. On my radio I just swap the batteries. No need for this fast charge guff and cell management. And when drill batteries give out the cells can be broken down and recycled much easier.

The EU are considering this issue in an e-waste law. Good in them.

True, but with how batteries last in current ereaders typically going well beyond three generations of release before seeing a notable degradation in performance, and the batteries they are using now, it's better that the end user can't replace them. We can recycle the ereader itself instead, at least in the US (and so I imagine in other countries).

I'll agree that other battery types might be better, though this would also depend on the charge life of these batteries. Replacing the current ones which get decent charge life with ones that'd see the need for more frequent charging would have negative consequences.

Originally Posted by melissaazevedo

In simple words, Non-removable batteries doesn't require back panel and make the device thinner while allowing the device manufacturer to use less high-quality materials. On the other hand, the life span of such a battery lasts for 2 years allowing manufacturer to introduce new phone models. In E-reader issue, it's most probably due to less power consumption

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

Life span?

My husband is using a 6 year old iPhone 6, I'm using a 4 year old iPhone 7+. We also have a Paperwhite 2nd gen bought in 2013 that works perfectly.

It's not like the older devices just stop working. The batteries may have degraded a bit, but it's not a noticeable problem in normal usage.

That old Paperwhite would most likely outlast my 2nd gen Oasis that has abysmal battery life.

I agree with Deskisamess here, I have had several eink devices over the years, and while I replace them at a faster rate than most, it's because I want the new features of a new device rather than anything else. I've gifted some away to friends and family, and those devices are still going strong. I still have a Kobo Aura H2O first edition which is alive and well though it's mostly a test device now as I've migrated to the Forma.

I'd go further though and say that most reputable companies (Amazon, Kobo, Nook, etc) aren't using lower quality materials for the casing of their device. Also it's not the removable of a removable backplate that allow for thinner devices, especially not in the case of ereaders. All the current ereaders are still thick enough that they could easily have a removable back, even the wedge shaped ones like the Forma and the Oasis.