Best tech news I've heard in a long time, the current phones designed to last only a few years are such a ridiculous waste.
It's amazing to me how many people have been convinced that sealed-in batteries are somehow necessary for waterproofing, given the array of electronics, like watches, that have been around for a long time with both waterproofing and replaceable batteries.
I dunno if that's exactly comparable. Yes, you're technically correct...but then we should expect phones to either be thicker or have smaller battery capacity to compensate. That's probably a fine trade-off for you (and probably for me), but that's not universally true.
Personally, I think 'form factor' is another silly argument.
Add a few mm in thickness in return for a device that lasts many years longer? That's an obvious benefit to the consumer (imo) and an easy way to reduce electronic waste.
Moreover, these paper-thin phones need big, sturdy cases to prevent bending in the pocket, so why not build a sturdier phone, and attach a thinner case, for the same resultant thickness?
To me, these are flimsy excuses the c-suite uses to justify unjustifiable levels of planned obsolescence, and the accompanying profit margins.