You've probably experienced it — you love your smartphone, but after a few years, its battery life starts to dwindle. The only solution? To spend thousands of dollars on a brand-new device. But that's about to change, and it's all thanks to a groundbreaking new law in the European Union.

According to a recent regulation passed by an overwhelming majority in the European Parliament, smartphone manufacturers will soon be required to make their devices with replaceable batteries. It means that, rather than having to buy a new handset when our battery starts losing capacity, we'll be able to swap it out for a new one instead — saving both our wallets and the environment at the same time.

This new EU law represents a major shift in the smartphone industry, which has increasingly moved towards non-replaceable batteries over the past decade. Companies like Apple and Samsung have long favored sealed-in batteries, claiming they allow for slimmer devices and better water resistance.

Industry response to the new regulations has been mixed, with some manufacturers speaking out against the legislation, while others are embracing it. As a result, we should expect a few bumps in the road as the industry adapts to these new requirements. For those of us living outside the EU, it's worth keeping an eye on how international versions of these devices might change in response to the new European standards.