Business · 16 July 2026

EU drops rule for user-removable batteries in Apple Watch, AirPods

茅野ふたば via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

The European Commission adopted new exemptions, meaning the Apple Watch and AirPods won't need user-changeable batteries. The change expands the list of exempt devices, now including wearables like smartwatches, due to safety concerns with sealed designs. Nintendo, however, plans to offer a Switch 2 model in the EU that features a user-replaceable battery.

By BriefTea Editorial · 16 July 2026 at 6:55

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