Cindhyade/Shutterstock Most tablets and mobile devices are completely sealed, so you can’t replace components like batteries. This is a shame because batteries naturally degrade over repeated charging cycles. A new software update for Amazon’s Kindle series, however, could suggest that this won’t be the case on future devices. In the Kindle software update 5.19.4, there is a brief mention of user-replaceable batteries, as reported by Good E Reader. Specifically, the text describes how to identify and manage a battery that is not working and guides users through the purchase of a replacement battery and its installation. It even mentions scanning a QR code to open a store page for the correct batteries. The original (first generation) Kindle e-readers came with user-replaceable batteries – iFixit even has a guide for doing so. Newer devices are much less intuitive in this regard, with hermetically sealed brackets compared to the original model’s easily removable backplate. Battery degradation is a major concern for the longevity of older devices and should be taken into account when considering the average lifespan of a Kindle. Upcoming Kindle devices may include models with replaceable batteries if the update text is any indication. This is likely happening, which is why Amazon Kindles are adhering to a new European Union law, taking effect in February 2027, that requires all smartphones and tablets to offer replaceable batteries – and the ability to swap them out with no specialist tools required. Why Easily Replaceable Batteries Could Be a Good Change Alina Mosinyan/Shutterstock Battery degradation is natural and occurs whether or not you follow healthy battery practices, regardless of the quality of materials and design. This is a complex process that involves many factors, not just charging cycles, although these play a major role. Batteries naturally lose capacity over time when idle and not in use, but also through deep discharge, when drained, overcharging, and environmental conditions such as exposure to extreme temperatures or even heat buildup during use. The fact is that batteries deteriorate the more you use them, and when a device is sealed, without any intuitive way to replace a battery, it will eventually cease to be useful. The devices with the greatest longevity are generally those whose design facilitates replacement. A high degree of repairability is also a net benefit to the planet and humanity. There is less e-waste when a device can be reactivated or repaired. Closing the loop with a new range of Kindle devices with user-replaceable batteries, of course, complies with European laws, but it’s also a clear overall benefit for modern devices. Believe it or not, there are still a number of Android phones with removable batteries in 2026. Although there are some concerns about this sort of thing showing up on devices that didn’t have them before. Some also think it’s a bad idea for the EU to force Apple to make phones with this feature, as it could reduce things like their water resistance and smart engineering. Post navigation Can you charge your phone with a wireless charger and a USB cable at the same time? 5 of the best big tablets you can buy in 2026
Cindhyade/Shutterstock Most tablets and mobile devices are completely sealed, so you can’t replace components like batteries. This is a shame because batteries naturally degrade over repeated charging cycles. A new software update for Amazon’s Kindle series, however, could suggest that this won’t be the case on future devices. In the Kindle software update 5.19.4, there is a brief mention of user-replaceable batteries, as reported by Good E Reader. Specifically, the text describes how to identify and manage a battery that is not working and guides users through the purchase of a replacement battery and its installation. It even mentions scanning a QR code to open a store page for the correct batteries. The original (first generation) Kindle e-readers came with user-replaceable batteries – iFixit even has a guide for doing so. Newer devices are much less intuitive in this regard, with hermetically sealed brackets compared to the original model’s easily removable backplate. Battery degradation is a major concern for the longevity of older devices and should be taken into account when considering the average lifespan of a Kindle. Upcoming Kindle devices may include models with replaceable batteries if the update text is any indication. This is likely happening, which is why Amazon Kindles are adhering to a new European Union law, taking effect in February 2027, that requires all smartphones and tablets to offer replaceable batteries – and the ability to swap them out with no specialist tools required. Why Easily Replaceable Batteries Could Be a Good Change Alina Mosinyan/Shutterstock Battery degradation is natural and occurs whether or not you follow healthy battery practices, regardless of the quality of materials and design. This is a complex process that involves many factors, not just charging cycles, although these play a major role. Batteries naturally lose capacity over time when idle and not in use, but also through deep discharge, when drained, overcharging, and environmental conditions such as exposure to extreme temperatures or even heat buildup during use. The fact is that batteries deteriorate the more you use them, and when a device is sealed, without any intuitive way to replace a battery, it will eventually cease to be useful. The devices with the greatest longevity are generally those whose design facilitates replacement. A high degree of repairability is also a net benefit to the planet and humanity. There is less e-waste when a device can be reactivated or repaired. Closing the loop with a new range of Kindle devices with user-replaceable batteries, of course, complies with European laws, but it’s also a clear overall benefit for modern devices. Believe it or not, there are still a number of Android phones with removable batteries in 2026. Although there are some concerns about this sort of thing showing up on devices that didn’t have them before. Some also think it’s a bad idea for the EU to force Apple to make phones with this feature, as it could reduce things like their water resistance and smart engineering.
