LG V20 and Removable Batteries

[flyingkytez]

Re: Battery charge speed: V20 vs S8 Plus

True that you have to charge the spare but the time factor for charging on the spare is irrelevant.
I only swap when I'm not near a charging source for extended periods. I also sometimes use an extended battery. One of them is double and I have tripple battery.
It's nice to have options.

Swapping isn't necessary, phones are getting more power efficient. But having a spare is nice. Quick switcheroo and you have 100% battery. You should know how that feels to get battery life that quick (feels liberating). True, you still have to charge the spare ahead of time, but when it's game time, you're prepared.

 

[PAC757]

I definitely have gotten so use to having a spare battery and being back at 100% in the 2 minutes it takes to swap out batteries. Always keep one charged up in the case that came with the spare battery kit so battery level is never even a concern at all anymore. I doubt that LG is going to keep the removable battery on the V30 seeing how they might pattern that phone like the G6. But hey, you never know maybe they will keep it as it seems to be in the Pro sections of so many reviews and comments, hopefully they listen to the customers.

 

[Morty2264]

I still love and want removable batteries, too!

 

[Ry]

I like my battery Moto Mod.

 

[Mike Dee]

I like my battery Moto Mod.

I love my V20 Battery Mugen Mod

 

[flyingkytez]

R.I.P. to removable batteries, the V20 may be the last..

V30 is reaching announcement soon. The phone design is probably already finished. Most sources are saying there won't be a return of the removable battery. Are you going to hang on to your V30 for a very long time now? I might, maybe until the V40 (if it isn't made of all glass). Thinking about a One Plus 5 or Huawei Mate 10 next, probably better value and specs and isn't made of all glass. Very sad but there's really nothing we can do. Worst case scenario I'll have to pry open the sealed back just to change the battery like how they do with iPhones. The V20 is THE ONLY current modern flagship you can buy with a removable back and battery (besides the G5). No, I don't want to pay for insurance, waste of money. Plus you have to pay deductable.

Worst case scenario:
https://youtu.be/rZk0sCauius

 

[Aquila]

Re: R.I.P. to removable batteries, the V20 may be the last..

Kind of unfortunate. I think removable batteries should not be in flagship devices for the most part, but having zero phones with the option leaves people who actually need that option for their use case out in the cold.

 

[Mooncatt]

Re: R.I.P. to removable batteries, the V20 may be the last..

I'll likely hold on to mine longer then. I'd consider a sealed phone if replacing the battery was as simple as removing a few screws and a plug, but I doubt it'll be that simple. It seems like the manufactures are making them more and more difficult for anyone to disassemble the phones.

 

[Ejjba]

Re: R.I.P. to removable batteries, the V20 may be the last..

Not in flagships maybe, but my cheap backup Samsung J3 has a removable battery. Cost $100 bucks

 

[MDMcAtee]

Kind of unfortunate. I think removable batteries should not be in flagship devices for the most part, but having zero phones with the option leaves people who actually need that option for their use case out in the cold.

Why?

Why do you think that flagship phones shouldn't have removable batteries in them?

I don't understand this reasoning at all.

Shouldn't a flagship phone have all the amenities available for it?

A top of the line anything should be the absolute best thing that is available for it. It does not matter what it is, car, truck, TV, receiver, game consoles, bicycle, etc etc etc...

Now I could understand if the manufacturers were using the latest technology available for small batteries and in doing so, negate a valid reason to have them, but they aren't and won't since if they did people wouldn't have to change phones as much.

So please explain to me why you feel as you do..

I am having a hard time trying to figure out how people feel like this. Your not the first I have heard say this.

Perhaps it is the term "Flagship" that is the issue here... I don't know for sure, but the question is still very valid..

Mac

 

[Aquila]

Re: R.I.P. to removable batteries, the V20 may be the last..

Why?

Why do you think that flagship phones shouldn't have removable batteries in them?

I don't understand this reasoning at all.

Shouldn't a flagship phone have all the amenities available for it?

Removable vs non-removable from a design and engineering standpoint, rather than a consumer preference of that one feature, creates a number of challenges and tradeoffs.

In favor of removable:
Easier for the user to replace
Removable door makes some other components easier to access
Etc, etc

In favor of sealed:
Better device designs are possible
Battery can be placed between the display and board, rather than having to reside on the outside of all components (this can be better for heat management and for making a thinner device, which people seem to like for ergonomics)
Better heat management improves battery life and improves the longevity of other components
Less buffer area surrounding the battery, so the battery can be larger or the device footprint can be smaller
Batteries can be irregular shapes (so far most OEMs are not doing this)
Easier to accomplish water resistance without any movable parts
Uni-body designs are possible, which means less structural compromise, better device durability
Etc, etc

Aside from that, battery life for the average user was solved in 2013. Most, if not all flagship devices last 24 hours or more with "normal" usage. Charging solutions such as QuickCharge have negated the need for long charging times and this is further mitigated by the readily available and very inexpensive portable charging solutions, etc. (and yes I realize that many of us are not average users)

It's very rare to hear about a use case where the user truly has no option other than a removable battery - because that use case would have to involve being away from all power outlets for at least a week - a use case that would also make a removable battery useless unless the user had a dozen or so spare batteries fully charged and being stored at a good temperature on their person.

If a person drives to work or sleeps in a building or has a job or is ever at a business or residence, charging is possible. And that doesn't take into account the ability to charge whenever you want with portable chargers.

The point of the last two paragraphs is that this is 100% a user preference thing for the consumer side, and that very few, if any people actually "need" a removable battery. But, that's what they want and it's ok to want whatever you want, which is why I said it's unfortunate to see the feature die out entirely, rather than just being available on limited devices. Obviously LG feels that they need to catch up to the competition, but it still sucks for those that wanted to remain in their current paradigm.

 

[MDMcAtee]

Removable vs non-removable from a design and engineering standpoint, rather than a consumer preference of that one feature, creates a number of challenges and tradeoffs.

In favor of removable:
Easier for the user to replace
Removable door makes some other components easier to access
Etc, etc

In favor of sealed:
Better device designs are possible
Battery can be placed between the display and board, rather than having to reside on the outside of all components (this can be better for heat management and for making a thinner device, which people seem to like for ergonomics)
Better heat management improves battery life and improves the longevity of other components
Less buffer area surrounding the battery, so the battery can be larger or the device footprint can be smaller
Batteries can be irregular shapes (so far most OEMs are not doing this)
Easier to accomplish water resistance without any movable parts
Uni-body designs are possible, which means less structural compromise, better device durability
Etc, etc

Aside from that, battery life for the average user was solved in 2013. Most, if not all flagship devices last 24 hours or more with "normal" usage. Charging solutions such as QuickCharge have negated the need for long charging times and this is further mitigated by the readily available and very inexpensive portable charging solutions, etc. (and yes I realize that many of us are not average users)

It's very rare to hear about a use case where the user truly has no option other than a removable battery - because that use case would have to involve being away from all power outlets for at least a week - a use case that would also make a removable battery useless unless the user had a dozen or so spare batteries fully charged and being stored at a good temperature on their person.

If a person drives to work or sleeps in a building or has a job or is ever at a business or residence, charging is possible. And that doesn't take into account the ability to charge whenever you want with portable chargers.

The point of the last two paragraphs is that this is 100% a user preference thing for the consumer side, and that very few, if any people actually "need" a removable battery. But, that's what they want and it's ok to want whatever you want, which is why I said it's unfortunate to see the feature die out entirely, rather than just being available on limited devices. Obviously LG feels that they need to catch up to the competition, but it still sucks for those that wanted to remain in their current paradigm.

OK.. I respect your opinion but...

My turn here

Better designs.. Better how? This is subjective to the actual usage correct..? Prettier.. OK I'll give it that.. But actually better?

Better heat management.. True, but this can be accomplished with a removable battery as well. Everything done with a sealed back can be done with a openable one. Maybe not as thinly, but still doable.

Thinner phones..more durable because of a uni body design and easier water resistance... Chuckle Chuckle.. Less durable phones. Irrelevant in actual usage since one must use a case for all of the obvious reasons. Less durable phones since they are much more prone to breaking, and water resistance can be just as easily done on a phone that has a removable battery in it.. Samsung proved this long ago. Completely waterproof is a different story.. But how many people actually need a fully waterproof phone?

Battery life for normal usage was solved in 2013... WOW.... are you serious? Maybe for a person who doesn't use their phone alot.. Or who lives in a area of great cell service or who is always on wifi... There is far more area in this country where there isn't, as what is.. still..

Fast charging and wireless charging has not negated removal batteries.. This is a convince, and nothing more. While it is nice to believe this, the truth is these 2 things are only necessary when you do not have a removable battery and spares to utilize and want these things. Fast charging is more detrimental than slow charging and it shows up in about 6 months of minimal usage and charging. Keeping spares is not difficult and many do this.

Few if any people need removable batteries... Really... Bigger screens, better cameras, more usage dictates the need for them more so today than years ago....why do you think that external batteries are still selling good...? Because people can't easily swap out the phones battery.. How many spare batteries do you have around your house? I would venture to say quite a few if you are like me and most other people..

To me, all of your reasons are not valid, but you are very welcome to believe them that's your choice.. But I know that the excuses the companies use is to say... That's what they want... But they are only hearing what they want to hear and those who want to go along with them..

Removable batteries may truly be gone in the LG line.. But whatever reasoning given so far is not the real reasons because all of them given can be proven differently.

Sorry if this seems argumentative..

Mac

 

[flyingkytez]

Re: R.I.P. to removable batteries, the V20 may be the last..

Removable vs non-removable from a design and engineering standpoint, rather than a consumer preference of that one feature, creates a number of challenges and tradeoffs.

In favor of removable:
Easier for the user to replace
Removable door makes some other components easier to access
Etc, etc

In favor of sealed:
Better device designs are possible
Battery can be placed between the display and board, rather than having to reside on the outside of all components (this can be better for heat management and for making a thinner device, which people seem to like for ergonomics)
Better heat management improves battery life and improves the longevity of other components
Less buffer area surrounding the battery, so the battery can be larger or the device footprint can be smaller
Batteries can be irregular shapes (so far most OEMs are not doing this)
Easier to accomplish water resistance without any movable parts
Uni-body designs are possible, which means less structural compromise, better device durability
Etc, etc

Aside from that, battery life for the average user was solved in 2013. Most, if not all flagship devices last 24 hours or more with "normal" usage. Charging solutions such as QuickCharge have negated the need for long charging times and this is further mitigated by the readily available and very inexpensive portable charging solutions, etc. (and yes I realize that many of us are not average users)

It's very rare to hear about a use case where the user truly has no option other than a removable battery - because that use case would have to involve being away from all power outlets for at least a week - a use case that would also make a removable battery useless unless the user had a dozen or so spare batteries fully charged and being stored at a good temperature on their person.

If a person drives to work or sleeps in a building or has a job or is ever at a business or residence, charging is possible. And that doesn't take into account the ability to charge whenever you want with portable chargers.

The point of the last two paragraphs is that this is 100% a user preference thing for the consumer side, and that very few, if any people actually "need" a removable battery. But, that's what they want and it's ok to want whatever you want, which is why I said it's unfortunate to see the feature die out entirely, rather than just being available on limited devices. Obviously LG feels that they need to catch up to the competition, but it still sucks for those that wanted to remain in their current paradigm.

I slightly disagree with:
- better design: not really, the V20 is proof you can make a beautiful phone with removable battery. All glass phone? All dirty fingerprints​ and oily phone is what it really is
- slimmer devices: actually the V20 is SLIMMER than the S8 Plus believe it or not (7.6mm vs 8.1mm). Battery is smaller but that's okay because you can remove it.
- longevity of the battery doesn't matter if you can easily replace it for a few bucks
- makes it easier for water-proof: not actually, the Galaxy S5 was able to achieve water resistance and removable battery. Just add the rubber seal around it.
- the durability point: sealed phones usually mean all glass phone and there's no way they can achieve a military grade spec no matter what unless they can come up with unbreakable glass

The only point I agree is people don't actually need or use the removable battery, same reason why they did away with IR blasters. People want a basic phone that's really easy and simple, and then plug it in and go. Today people seem to be more interested in the appearance of the phone rather than features. The new HTC 11's biggest selling point is it's beautiful and shiney back (which no one will look at really if you use a case). People are willing to sacrifice a durable phone over a beautiful phone. People also buy phones like they buy candy, a few hundred bucks is nothing so a removable battery doesn't matter because they'll buy a new phone once a year or two (battery life should be worse within 8 months, you'll see people investing in external battery packs). A week's worth of pay is enough to buy a flagship for the average white collar. Would be great to keep a phone for a long time.

 

[Aquila]

OK.. I respect your opinion but...

My turn here

Better designs.. Better how? This is subjective to the actual usage correct..? Prettier.. OK I'll give it that.. But actually better?

Better heat management.. True, but this can be accomplished with a removable battery as well. Everything done with a sealed back can be done with a openable one. Maybe not as thinly, but still doable.

Thinner phones..more durable because of a uni body design and easier water resistance... Chuckle Chuckle.. Less durable phones. Irrelevant in actual usage since one must use a case for all of the obvious reasons. Less durable phones since they are much more prone to breaking, and water resistance can be just as easily done on a phone that has a removable battery in it.. Samsung proved this long ago. Completely waterproof is a different story.. But how many people actually need a fully waterproof phone?

Battery life for normal usage was solved in 2013... WOW.... are you serious? Maybe for a person who doesn't use their phone alot.. Or who lives in a area of great cell service or who is always on wifi... There is far more area in this country where there isn't, as what is.. still..

Fast charging and wireless charging has not negated removal batteries.. This is a convince, and nothing more. While it is nice to believe this, the truth is these 2 things are only necessary when you do not have a removable battery and spares to utilize and want these things. Fast charging is more detrimental than slow charging and it shows up in about 6 months of minimal usage and charging. Keeping spares is not difficult and many do this.

Few if any people need removable batteries... Really... Bigger screens, better cameras, more usage dictates the need for them more so today than years ago....why do you think that external batteries are still selling good...? Because people can't easily swap out the phones battery.. How many spare batteries do you have around your house? I would venture to say quite a few if you are like me and most other people..

To me, all of your reasons are not valid, but you are very welcome to believe them that's your choice.. But I know that the excuses the companies use is to say... That's what they want... But they are only hearing what they want to hear and those who want to go along with them..

Removable batteries may truly be gone in the LG line.. But whatever reasoning given so far is not the real reasons because all of them given can be proven differently.

Sorry if this seems argumentative..

Mac

Doesn't seem argumentative, as I said, it's a totally different way of looking at things and I know not everyone is an average user. And I'm in favor of the V30 or something else having the option available.

 

[Aquila]

Also I don't like all glass phones. I meant to say unibody metal devices.

 

[Mooncatt]

Also I don't like all glass phones. I meant to say unibody metal devices.

Let us not so easily forget all the bent iPhones and HTC M8's with metal unibody designs that got bent in people's pockets.

 

[MDMcAtee]

Let us not so easily forget all the bent iPhones and HTC M8's with metal unibody designs that got bent in people's pockets.

Also with the squeezable frame that the u11 has, how long will it be before folks have a permanent bend in it I wonder...

Mac

 

[Aquila]

The majority position of the AC Nerds is that we'd prefer a strong, grippy back to devices, such as well done soft touch plastic, rubber or leather.

 

[MDMcAtee]

The majority position of the AC Nerds is that we'd prefer a strong, grippy back to devices, such as well done soft touch plastic, rubber or leather.

Absolutely....

As do millions of other people who have let a slippery glass backed phone fall from their hands and break if they were being honest about it.

Mac

 

[Almeuit]

Absolutely....

As do millions of other people who have let a slippery glass backed phone fall from their hands and break if they were being honest about it.

Mac

Me being honest is.. I've never shattered a phone or screen yet (or the back of a phone) during my entire smartphone carrier.. but I do use cases. The worst I've done is scratch a screen.. got sand on it and wiped it off on my shirt without thinking