I have performed repairs on many different Apple devices from many different eras, it’s a real shame it went from the relatively easy battery replacement process on the iPhone 4 and 4s to now where it is nearly impossible without ruining your screen and housing in the process same goes with MacBooks, I repaired a unibody MacBook Pro and it was so easy to get the battery out minus a few security screws now you may as well replace the entire top case

It is really disturbing to see how few safety protocols have been put in place by the manufacturers of large lithium batteries. It is almost as if they don't care.

I've heard about pending EU legislation mandating "user replaceable" batteries. That may help in bring back the "good old days".

Love the video. This point should be used against all manufacturers every time they argue against devise reparability and uses safety and security as main reasons. It really easily just proves they dont care about safety of users, but only about money. Because as you said, device is much safer for user if he can remove battery then if he cant.

Earlier this year, I had a battery in an old Galaxy S7 inflate after a soft drop off a coffee table onto a carpet. I wouldn't be surprised if it had happened after a drop off a kitchen counter onto a hardwood floor or a drop out of a pocket onto pavement. The gentlest of drops causing that kind of reaction make me think it was inevitable, whether it dropped or not. It had managed to mostly free itself from its adhesive before I removed the back off the phone. So I was able to remove the whole thing without much fight. Disposing of it was way more fun. I called around around various disposal places in my area, and they would not take it unless it was a "Tox-away Day." After dealing with multiple retail stores that claimed to dispose of used batteries, I managed to get a Batteries Plus store to take it for $10. I had enough of it, and was willing to part with a Hamilton to be done with it.

Easily replaceable batteries is a thing I like about older simple flip phones. Some time ago the battery on the flip phone of one of my family members broke due to forgetting to charge it. But the battery was easily replaceable because you also have to remove it to put in the sim card. And luckily there are recycling collection points for old batteries here. It would be cool to see easily replaceable screens and batteries on average new smartphones.

I still remember when I had my Samsung Galaxy S5 when the stock battery bit the dust, and all it took me was an order from Amazon and 10 seconds to pry off the plastic back cover and be good for another few years. Heck, I had to retire my older S9 because its battery was also shot, and its replacement (no longer accessible via conventional means) costed more than what the phone was worth.

This video is crazy, because my local news channel, news channel 5 of Nashville, just got done covering this issue today. Someone’s house recently burnt down in our area due to using an off brand lithium battery and/or charger. The Nashville FD stated it’s a common issue. I never use cheap batteries. I only use Energizer or Duracell. I always use original chargers. Use extension cords correctly. My electric wires are checked throughout the house yearly by professionals. I have fire extinguishers everywhere. Escape ladders.

Tesla battery failures are showing up now in older Model S sedans - with the replacement battery costing as much as the total value of the car in most cases. One owner was quoted $21,000 USD to replace the battery in his Model S that was valued at $22,000. A lot of folks are just selling the car for parts if the battery fails - it's their only option if they can't pony up the $20k.

I have had a old battery sitting outside on a paving stone for the last year or more and it's interesting how much it's changed shape. Shows how dangerous these things are...... Unfortunately New Zealand don't do recycling at all...

That’s why we need newer and safer battery tech. Silicon-carbon batteries looks promising (hopefully).

Great content Hugh! Always rush to click on the notification when your videos are published

Concise, informative and to the point. Very good!

You know its very sad.. that we seen the days of removal batteries from laptops and phones as "good old days".

Never thought batteries would be that dangerous. Thank you for this insightful video

The PSA the world needed, excellent, Hugh!

This is why we need solid state batteries to become viable for consumer products. The sooner, the better.

Which is why I always wondered do I care if my phone is 1mm thinner bacause the battery will not come out? I had many phones where the battery would come out. It did make the phone thicker, but it also meant I could carry a spare safely of course when the one in the phone went flat. It really also comes down to disposal and management of these high energy potential batteries. Not necessarily the new ones as much but the older perhaps damaged ones. I warn folks all the time to be careful of these new technology batteries. The energy density is very very high, and could start a fire. In some ways all parties are involved here. We want long lasting gear with a duration to last at least the day or longer. So companies create these things. Companies start promoting thinner and thinner technology to sell that sexy look. Hence the batteries that don't come out. I had some olf LG phones and while their battery life was meh, I had no problems having a spare. Not a big deal, and I could change it out. Now you can't change batteries out. Also a computer reset back in the day included removing the battery pack. Can't do that anymore either.

I always look forward to your videos, very insightful. Cheers.

In Europe the EU is passing a new law forcing manufacturers to return to user replaceable batteries. This will likely effect other regions as well since it would not make sense for manufacturers to make different models for different regions.

a quite different video from the usual, but still it is very important to spread messages like this. Nice

IIRC DSLR’s have always had removable batteries from the very beginning, thus you can get a camera from 2004, buy a brand new set of batteries and use it like new, and that’s what manufacturers don’t like, us being able to use old devices and not buying their latest and greatest.

Always have to be mindful of the risks of anything you use. And yes, I miss the good old days where I could just pop Open the back of a case and swap the battery in 3 seconds. I'm sure they could figure out how to water proof A configuration like that if they really want to.

I work in the airline industry and the most often question I get is what is the deal with batteries. I have to explain even to my coworkers who didn’t understand the training they were given on batteries. It’s about capacity and the current charge of the battery as you mention. There are always risks about transporting batteries as you mentioned, but the smaller capacity lower charge batteries have less of a risk to safety because their combustion level is lower. Now if you bring a huge battery pack on board an aircraft and an error occurs, then it burst into flames, there’s no support and often no equipment in the air to put out the fire. Cargo planes do have fire suppression equipment on board inside the cargo area but not so much in a passenger airliner so there would have to be an immediate emergency landing and airport fire crew trained to deal with, a battery fire, not to mention the potential risk during the evacuation process as keeping people in a flying tube up in the air. Well bad things can happen.

At least my gaming laptop only has the backplate to remove in order to access the battery... and it's only held in with several screws and you just stick a wedge in to detach it. That was at least 100x safer than having to take it to a third party repair place or even to the manufacturer, where it may not even survive the trip there if a spicy pillow was still inside.

Its definitely nice that power tools have removable batteries, though with my power tool battery is that by the time it needed replacement none is on the market for purchase anymore (mine is 13 years old). Fortunately mine is Ni-Cd so rebuilding with new cells is very easy as there are no PCBs involved

My rule of thumb when replacing a non-removable and/or swollen battery is to drain the battery to the point the device shuts off and can no longer turn on so that if I have to wrangle the battery outta there bending it in the process, it won't have hardly any energy in there to start on fire. I've done that with every single device I've replaced the battery on (with the exception of my 2011 Samsung Transform Ultra but that's because it has a user-replaceable battery and the battery was totally dead anyways). At this point I may even drain user-swappable batteries when replacing them just out of habit cuz I've been doing it so long with non removable batteries lol. But seriously, I do agree that the removable batteries need to make a comeback because I'm tired of having to fight the stupid battery just to get it out

In many applications - LFE (LiFePO4) batteries do have enough capacity. They are not a fire hazard, does not contain cobalt, last 3000+ cycles, and do not need to be stored at 40% for maximum life, they are tolerant to both deep discharging and full charge.

Great vid Hugh.

When I charge something I will always check on it at different times to make sure it’s charging properly or it is finished. I have a 20,000 mAh Anker power bank I often charge over night if the power level is low enough. It’s always near me in case issues occur.

I had a little lithium 5B power pack I used to charge my phone when away from home. It developed a swelling and split open. I foolishly picked it up and it literally exploded into flames in my hand. Fortunately I immediately dropped it so I did not get burned but it burned a hole in the carpet and wood floor beneath. If this had happened when I was not present it would have burned the house down. Be warned.

Recently picked up an old Samsung Galaxy Note 8 in great shape, exept for the Battery. I dealt with some „spicy pillows“ before, but this one was truly massive. It also doesnt help, that the battery was glued down sostrong, that I had to use hard plastic and metal prying tools. I was really afraid I would puncture it and burn down. Luckily everything went well. Only problem is I dont really know where to bring those batteries… Stay safe.

This is some of the reasons why i love replaceable battteries on electronics

That's why we are in need of those safe and long lasting new battery techonolies. Sadly they are only news headlines and not a real thing yet.

This is why I think EV's are not yet ready for the general market. While a gas car does catch fire. You have some time to get out safely whereas an EV you may only have seconds.

Not too long ago, LG made the V20. It was the last flagship phone with removable battery, and it even comes with 16W fsst charging. But software support was lacking, and the camera glass was very fragile.

MTW: Your phone is pregnant, sir.

I tried changing the battery in my Samsung phone. The glue was so strong i couldn’t pop it out so I got a flat head screw driver and that ended up putting a hole in the old battery sending smoke and sparks everywhere! Best to do that repair outdoors away from flammable rugs or bed sheets!

ALSO : BATTERY CARE - COUPLE OF NOTES regarding storing/charging phones (& other modern devices) to EXTEND their life... 1 - TRY NOT to charge to 100% each and every time, as 'Dentrite' buildup can follow ('Dentrites' are little crystal like structures that emanate from the 'Anode' that spread and and try to reach out to the 'Cathode' thus causing a 'Short'). 2 - DON'T leave such devices like Laptops, Tablets or other 'Rechargable devices' plugged in charge for longer than is necessary (ONCE device is charged REMOVE IT from charging), and NEVER leave your rechargable device plugged in 24/7/365, it's one of the best ways to kill a battery quicker than it's usual lifespan. 3 - IF you are looking to store a modern rechargable device 'Long Term' (say like, a Lawn Mower/Strimmer over winter) or any other rechargable device with Li-Ion batteries, To KEEP BEST HEALTH whilst not in use, get the batterys' charge level to about half way (50%), and try to store said devices at/or close to 'Cool Room Temperature'. All this information can be confirmed online. Get the best from your devices, save yourselves time and money on device repairs due to failed batteries etc by looking after those batteries with a little thought and care 👍 😎🇬🇧

Great Video Jeff... 👍

Congratulation's Hugh on closing in on 1 million subscriber's.

I just got rid of a bunch of old batteries from my collection of old phones. Some were expanding some weren't, a few of them were almost 20 years old.

Great video as always.😮

We have a bicycle shop. Whenever people drop off their e-bikes for service, we make them take the battery home with them and leave the bike without the battery. When all rechargable batteries are completely safe from thermal runaway, we might consider changing that rule.

No recycling of batteries here in Pakistan. The only safe way is to use good brand batteries. I also have fire extinguishers in my home. Great video, as always, Hugh.

Nicely done!

I used to fly RC (before the government got involved) and had about a dozen large Lipo batteries stored for years. I had a quick thought of them while at work and checked them when I got home. Half of them were puffed out and on the verge of rupture. It might’ve been only days before they popped and set my entire house on fire.

I'm happy to have barely had a problem with this. For many years I had a Samsung with a replaceable battery, then a second hand one (which now has no battery life left) and now finally a Fairphone. Had I been able to replace the battery of the previous phone it could have easily lasted a few years more. Luckily I can now do so again going forward. It sucks that it's not the industry standard though.

you mentioned the s5 so let me share my experience, yes my phone had a replicable battery but due to how I used it the battery as around 80% of original 7 years after purchase. So when it finally started causing problems (most likely the display flickering on then off when it's colder was the battery) I decided to replace it. 0 way to buy a genuine replacement. Bought one that claims to be genuine from a reputable shop. Model matches, dimensions, voltage , amperage everything matches. Within 2 weeks the thing is swollen and I stopped using it. This demonstrates that simply having a replaceable battery does not solve all issues, we should be aiming for a standardized phone battery with everything (dimensions, voltage, amperage, safety precautions) standardised so you can actually keep using your device well after they intentionally brick the software (I did not update it, hence why it was responsive and did everything exactly like expected while people that I knew that did update warned me not to, that their phone became unresponsive, stuck and randomly restarted probably due to them putting software with higher hardware requirements on old limited tech)

Hope u keep updated on new batteries. The EU has made a law that soon batteries in phones, laptops, and so on. must be easy to get replaced. Like the USB c with apple. Also EU law

I've had many experiences with spicy pillows with my Grandmother's Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro, and the issue was that my grandfather actually bought the battery from a very sketchy site. Also I've also destroyed batteries and they actually get alarmly hot and even explode Hopefully the battery ends up being easily removable like the Fairphone or the LG G5.

Great video! I have a good analogy for the battery issue, imagine a gasoline car that gets thrown away after it runs out of fuel, this is basically integrated batteries in a nutshell, even if the analogy is exagerated, we can all agree it would be crazy to think about throwing away a entire vehicle with all the advanced technological and mechanical components perfectly in working condition, and considering the cost of a car, smartphones with non removable batteries are exactly the same in a smaller scale, but bigger quantity and shorter life span, to the point the average person will use their phone for around 2-3 years until the battery gets used enough that it stops holding a charge for a usable amount of time, luckly batteries have gotten better over the years but the problem pressists, the average user can't easly replace them, for fear of damaging the phone or just lack of knowledge on how to do it, therefore it ends up being the first part to fail on the phone due to wear, then there is the issue where companies go after the people that do know how to replace the batteries by implementing intentional software locks loike "battery might not be genuine" warnings that serve no actual use for the user other than being an intimidation tactic, just like the maintenance light on a car is tricking the person to go to a official dealership/store and pay a premium

Thank you for this

I used to have an LG android phone that had an easy to remove battery. Just pop the back cover off with a guitar pick, lift the battery out and drop a new one in. I actually carried a fully charged spare with me for hiking trips and long days with the kids and grandkids so that when it ran low from taking pictures and video, I’d just swap the battery and carry on.

"Spicy Pillow" ... That's next level spice! 🥵♨️

Removable batteries on phones, my opinion is mixed... My current phone is easy to open despite having a glued back. Poco X3 pro 5160mAh However having it be removable would require some extra protection around it, making the capacity drop by a huge margin. Fariphone 5 has a small 4200mAh battery, and it's a brick and a half of a phone ! Now you could say, I'll just carry an extra one, but I certainly wouldn't, got enough stuff in my pockets already. Not to mention you'd turn off the phone everytime, then have to charge both at home in the evening... My XMG laptop has a removable battery, it's pretty cool ! No wonder it barely lasts 2hours on full brightness. Can't even buy an extra one *I'd prefer a phone with the same internal design, but simply with no glue to deal with to replace the battery only screws. Probably the same for laptops*

I had always said this. And now, I have a video I can share to people when they ask what the fuss is about.

I had a lipo fail spectacularly while i was charging it, luckily i was looking right at it when it decided to fail i had 30 seconds to get it outside before it burst into flames. I've charged hundreds of times with no problems this was just a bad battery unfortunately

Thanks for new video

I would like to see smartphones built with removable batteries and memory cards again.

This guy makes some great points.

Cheers mate!

I has similar issue with Asus Zenfone Selfie having a user-replaceable battery when it's battery was swollen I removed the back cover then battery with no effort. Same thing happened with my iPhone 5S & it's difficult to remove it without taking it to a repair shop because companies prefer unibody design than modular design and they will charge you more than needed for battery replacement

The main reason why battery’s expand is because the battery hasn’t been changed in years causing out gassing. This is why you should keep your electronics charged all the time when your not used them

We should have kept lithium battery usage at around laptop amounts.. The more cells the more danger.. Let alone the the metals and mining needed for huge scale use...

My Macbook had a battery issue back in 2021. Somehow, a screw had gotten into the laptop and was shorting out something on the BMS board. I took it seriously when the laptop became so swollen that it wouldn't sit flat on the table. I immediately took the battery out and placed it on a concrete surface outside far from any bushes. Imagine if I couldn't take the back cover off to remove the battery?

Nice information

Thanks, Sam can totally groove this entire video. #Note7

Very good!

It's worth mentioning that lithium reacts violently with water, so when a lithium battery catches on fire, pouring water on it will only make it worse. That's another reason why lithium battery fires are so hard to put out.

this is what DESTROYED my Smart Phone - split the case! I now use a cheap Flip Phone I also used to do Radio Control stuff back when you didn't need a LICENSE batteries often PUFFED!

My year old A52s has gone through two battery replacements… both times the battery inflated enough to unglue the back cover

Well looks like Samsung is easing out battery replacements by adding pull tabs and light adhesive, I saw that on their latest phones starting by the S23. Ofc you still need to remove the back panel which is glued down but at least they make it reliable and less risky to replace with those changes.

I had in the space of just two years swollen batteries on my MacBook Pro. No reason could be given, just happened. The repair guy said “it happens.” I just can’t believe a replacement from Apple swelled so quickly after the original. Tech guy said it could be environmental…. If that’s the case I have no idea what in. My environment could cause it to swell… it’s not in heat, it’s usually always on my desk, I don’t keep it in my bag… no reason why two sets of batteries would swell within 12 months of each other…

A friend of mine decided a couple of years ago, to remove a battery... thinking, they could just remove the back (While it was fully charged!) with a tiny screwdriver. I said "WAIT... before you do that...! ." and BAM! The battery in the smart phone exploded and caught on fire on the spot! THX GOD, they did it on the bathroom sink!! 🙄😳

Well, we have a big back yard so I look at this as ideas for July 4th!

could you also make a video on dodgy chargers, The fake apple ones are really dangerous. I had a laptop that a friend brought in and she plugged in the laptop (this was a brand new laptop) and it was acting really off. I asked if I could take her laptop charger so I could have a look at it, I conducted a portable appliance test (PAT test or test and tag) on the laptop charger and it resulted as a failure as the fuse rating was incorrect and apparently it came like that... This is here in Scotland so it was uk plugs but yeah the fake Mac book chargers are dangerous

I used to fix phones for friends and family. Only one battery ever went on fire: a Samsumg Galaxy S6. As I was replacing the battery, I had to use my heat gun (as usual) on the thing. It was NOT a happy bunny. Thankfully there was a window right behind me, so it got tossed until it could act appropriately. That sh*ts scary XD

The production of EV batteries generates far more emissions. Producing the battery alone for a Tesla generates 35,273 pounds of CO2 emissions, which is up to three times higher than the emissions to manufacture a gas-powered car. There not so green after all.

Was working at an asurion tech repair and solutions (ubif) with my coworker and she accidentally punctured the battery of an a21 when do the screen replacement it sent us both to the hospital from the fumes coming out of the battery

I've encountered 3 spicy pillows. one was out of an iPhone 3GS, it was VERY BAD! The Batt that Hugh was holding looked like mine. The second one came out of an extremely rare Canadian Edition Product Red Motorola KRZR-K1. It looked a little bloated, but otherwise it was fine. Third batt came out of the Same model. looked a little bad, As there were Dents on the battery cell. 2 of the 3 Phones had batteries.

The last phone I had with a removable battery was the Samsung Galaxy nexus and that's too long ago. Also the LG G5 was a great idea which sadly didn't work.

The European Union now demands replaceable batteries in smart-phones. They also succeeded to force manufacturers to have the USB-C port on all phones, if I recall correctly.

the dis charging trick i will keep in mind considering i too want to join the realm of fixing small electronics

Good video 😊

"10 times the amount of water" Actually you wouldn't WANT to use water at all! (evidenced by the fully submersed flaming car) That actually makes it worse. Like throwing water on a grease fire. Chemical compositions are different, you are better off using the proper chemical fire retardant, Or trying to smother it completely. Adding water to a lithium fire adds oxygen to it thanks to how hot it burns, it turns water to additional fuel... This is why retraining fire departments for Ev's is a MUUST.

Yes I remember having a Samsung when I first bought a mobile phone and the battery was easy to remove but my current Google Pixel 6 pro is sealed as far as I can tell and it just worries me a little to know that these batteries can go into thermal runaway. As for electric vehicles I am absolutely dead against them for any point of view including the costs (and risks they pose) of buying and owning one to the apparent coming laws that will make individuals go electric. This is a distinct and obscenely draconian way of treating the population who elect those politicians and also denies us of even the basic right of choice as to what we do and own.

If the battery management system is good. It can last very long. If not you have to charge the device on specific % if it's sync good. 65% would good for 6+ years and 75-80% is good for 4-5 years. Good thing about this the battery wouldn't bloat. My Asus Zenfone 3's battery ended smoothly. It didn't bloat or explode. It just simply drain quickly after 5 years.

one of my cameras had a spicy pillow but luckily mine is a removable and swappable i think its done its service well from when i got the camera back in 2018 i think it was maybe 2019 all i can remmeber it was a 2017 model and consumer level DSLR

4:13 a charged or discharged battery could explode, a battery works by having electrons move from one side to the othger, so either charged or discharged, it still has the same amount of energy inside

I am very guilty of fixing stuff atop my bed.... thankfully since installing a high rise bed I nolonger get the urge to treat it as a workbench

I had an old iPhone 3g can't remember the actual name but it had an expanding battery and I took it too a shop where they repair phones etc they took it and said it would blow up and they took it and put it in some where very safe and they said that I was right about giving it too them.

Hey Hugh, I have any iPad that began restarting itself more frequently over time and then just wouldn’t power on anymore, do you know what would cause this?

Repair shops recommend having a sand bucket on hand in case of emergency!

I almost burned my house down thanks to an iPhone 6 plus battery, at the time I didn't know you could dissolve the adhesive with alcohol to remove the battery, as I was removing it I accidentally snapped it and it immediately caught on fire. Since then I'm more careful when removing batteries.

I remember the tradgic day my original PSP battery got swollen and the upper plastic of the battery cracked. So I had to dispose of it, luckily replacment batteries are not too expensive. I also have an old ipod nano 5th gen which still have the swollen battery inside of it, but it still works and I can't get out the battery since its swollen. And I still don't know what to do with it.

laptop, smartphones and tablets can easily burn down a house. If placed on highly flammable materials like a pillow, book or in the bed, a small but explosive fire can easily kill you and burn the house. in Denmark this happens a dozen times a year at least.

The EU has passed a law to require manufacturers to make the batteries of products like smart phones replaceable, so maybe when I need to update my phone again I can get one that has this feature (again, since my first phone and the three I bought after that all had replaceable batteries.)

Babe wake up, Hugh Jeffreys uploaded!

Didn't they make the first wave of batteries in sealed aluminum as they thought that was safer but ended up making mini bombs? I stupidly heat tested a sealed phone battery long ago. I didn't notice it was sealed & the bang that thing gave was loud. I still have that metal pillow as a reminder I'm not qualified to safely be a Mythbuster.