The battery is an inseparable component of any portable device. Like the devices themselves, batteries have advanced quite a bit in recent years, both in their design and their function.
Previously, only removable batteries used to exist for mobile phones and laptops. However, non-removable batteries are now providing competition to their removable counterparts.
So, what are removable and non-removable batteries?
Removable batteries are batteries that can be taken out of a mobile/laptop while non-removable batteries are batteries integrated within the mobile/laptop that cannot be taken out.
Having to pick between these two forms of batteries can be tricky and that is just the reason why we have curated this guide below. It will get you up to speed with all the advantages and disadvantages of both so that you can pick.
Removable Battery vs. Non-Removable Battery – All that You Need to Know!
Let’s take a look at each of these batteries, weighing their pros and cons against each other to see which one is best for you.
Removable Battery
Pros
There are many upsides to having a removable battery.
The first and very important one is that in case your phone becomes waterlogged, you can simply take off the back cover, pull out your battery and let it dry before any damage is done to it.
Having a spare battery can also come in handy as in case your battery does get harmed, you can easily replace it with a new one without having to go to a repair shop.
Also, if your phone doesn’t respond or starts to lag and you are having trouble rebooting it, all you need to do is to take out the battery from your phone and it will shut down. Then, you can turn it on by long-pressing the side button.
The same is the case with your laptop – if you happen to spill something on it, take off the battery along with any other peripheral devices and let them dry to avoid any major damage.
Furthermore, if you are a frequent traveler, then a removable battery can simply be exchanged for a fresh one once it is drained.
As you may have already figured out, for most removable batteries (not all), you can change the battery of your mobile or laptop without any assistance from an IT professional.
Lastly, mobile phones and laptops with removable batteries are generally much cheaper than their non-removable counterparts.
Cons
The most significant disadvantage of a removable battery – whether it is for your mobile phone or laptop – is that it starts to deteriorate in less than two years. Of course, this applies to all Lithium-Ion batteries, regardless of whether they are removable or not.
Furthermore, not only does the removable battery steal the glamour from your mobile phone and laptop and make them look thicker but also, their compartments allow dirt to get accumulated within them. In the long run, this can prove to be detrimental to the internal components of these devices.
Also, finding a spare battery for your smartphone or laptop is not as easy as it seems. There is a good chance that you won’t be able to find an additional battery unless you have a device that is mainstream.
In addition to this, most of the modern-day laptops and mobile phones with an array of exciting features are coming into the market with non-removable, sealed batteries. As such, finding a robust device capable of satisfying your needs with a removable battery may be difficult.
Non-Removable Battery
Pros
The most standout feature of the non-removable battery both for your mobile phone and laptop is that its life expectancy is far greater than its removable counterpart. However, remember that this will vary by the kind of battery used.
For instance, according to Apple, their non-removable batteries lose only about 20% of their charge holding ability after 1,000 discharges while the users who fully charge and discharge their laptop battery once per day continue to avail the full capacity of the battery for up to 3 years.
Furthermore, mobile phones and laptops with non-removable batteries have a sleek design; the batteries are part of the inner electronics of these devices. As a result, their appearance is slimmer and more attractive.
In addition to this, if your mobile phone with a non-removable battery ever gets stolen, you will most likely be able to track your phone.
In the case of a removable battery, removing the battery would simply make it impossible to track the device.
Due to less interaction with the non-removable battery, there are also lesser chances of damage to the internal components of your laptop, especially the battery pins.
The internal components are also prevented from getting in contact with the foreign particles which can dismantle them, especially the display screen.
Moreover, the fact that the non-removable batteries can only be replaced with the original branded product of the manufacturer’s company means that their quality is maintained at all costs. (Note that you can replace them with non-branded batteries. However, that carries a lot of risk).
Better still, mobile phones and laptops with non-removable batteries generally weigh less and are more portable.
Cons
Non-removable batteries are placed in laptops and mobile phones in such a way that for a user with no or little expertise in computer electronics, it is impossible to be able to remove or switch it in case a problem arises. As such, the user has to pay the repair shop a visit or two.
Now, this is not feasible, especially if you need your mobile phone and laptop for academic or work purposes. Not only will you have to spend some cash to fix your issue, but also, a lot of your important time will waste away.
On top of that, if your smartphone’s non-removable battery gets wet, unlike in the case of the removable battery, there are chances of short circuit and permanent damage to the mobile hardware.
Also, with no external battery for back up, the use of devices with non-removable batteries is strictly limited in areas where there are no charging points.
Finally, non-removable batteries are usually costlier than removable ones.
Which Battery Should You Choose?
Whether you want a laptop/mobile phone with a removable or a non-removable battery completely depends on your budget and requirements.
If your budget is a bit tight, go with the removable battery as not only the initial cost will be lower, but you will also save yourself a lot of visits to the repair shop in the long run.
However, if you have some flexibility in your budget and you’re looking for a stylish device with cool features, then a laptop/mobile phone with a non-removable battery is your best bet.
