LG G8 ThinQ's battery is permanently sealed, no DIY replacements possible

09 May 2019
We're already used to batteries not being easily user-replaceable, but this is on another level.

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  • R
  • ReVanTis
  • A9g
  • 10 May 2019

It only takes 3 iterations for LG to go from removable batteries(G5) to permanent battery(G8).
What a GREAT company.

    • C
    • Carl
    • 0WL
    • 10 May 2019

    GIF, 10 May 2019Of course it is cheaper and also it is much higher risk tha... moreYour Galaxy S7 has a "chinese" battery:

    https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/VA5dhomPECAShw3W.large

    That battery cost $10 buying it directly from Samsung at Amazon!!!!!

    I've seen some disaster replacing batteries in official services. Aside, pay half of the cost of the phone for replace a usually $10-$20 battery. Disasters like ups looks like my phone has 7 more scraches... that they deny responsability about them if you previously not recorded the phone with watermark and live date, etc as a legal proof. Or when they finally return you the phone... Where is my data? My photos? It's my phone? Etc. I never had a problem replacing a battery even resealing the phone against the water. And yes, for me the phone less if the phone is still with warranty and i want to use it, the best place and safest one where it can be is in my hands!!! And for replace its battery too.

    Another thing is that no all brands have local custom service... so if you must send your phone by transport agency, then pay the shipping, the insurance due to their own thiefs employees, etc. No thanks.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • sxs
      • 10 May 2019

      Seriously, it doesn't matter. For as long as phone batteries are no longer removable, it doesn't matter how tight, hard or permanent or easy to remove the glue and the sealant is. Opening it up will always cause damage to seals amd if you're not careful, to phone wiring and internals. Secondly, the availability of replacement batteries a year or two after the phone has been released is highly questionable with manufacturers motivated to no longer make them so you'll upgrade to a new phone (planned obsolescence). You're forced to buy a new phone when the battery's worn out. Promises of cheap or easy battery replacements in all modern phones with sealed batteries are all but a pipe dream. Only strict worldwide regulation will bring the removable battery back.

        • c
        • cyber
        • S2D
        • 10 May 2019

        not very difficult,just like s6 and onwards,looking at most huawei phones they used a ton of adhesive and removing a battery is not possible without heating it,anyway an authorised repair shop can replace it with original one,no one can get you a genuine battery anywhere else,they are just a crap not worthing even trying it

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • Ixv
          • 10 May 2019

          AnonD-816568, 10 May 2019Because it's way.... cheaper and faster, i bought the new b... moreAnd you think you've got something good for 10 dollars?
          Anyway if you are buying expensive phone don't go on cheap batteries and do it only in official service. Probably it's not for Xiaomi.

            • P
            • Planned obsolescence
            • nid
            • 10 May 2019

            Planned obsolescence to the max. The whole sealed battery hype has reached a new pinnacle. Expensive throw-away products with short lifespans causing environmental pollution and unnecessary product replacement. Their should be a law against this kind of consumer exploitation and people should stop buying these zero chance of repair kinds of products.

              • G
              • GIF
              • Ixv
              • 10 May 2019

              AnonD-558092, 10 May 2019Oof. Probably will cost 50% of the phone's price to get the... moreHaven't seen more expensive batteries than iPhone so far. I don't think that LG would make it more expensive

                • G
                • GIF
                • Ixv
                • 10 May 2019

                AnonD-816568, 10 May 2019Because it's way.... cheaper and faster, i bought the new b... moreOf course it is cheaper and also it is much higher risk that you will put inside some crappy cheap Chinese battery which will not be better. And if phone is water resistant? Still would risk it?
                I still have my s7 and battery is still great. After 3 years I'm trying to replace phone.

                  • D
                  • AnonD-558092
                  • 45}
                  • 10 May 2019

                  Oof. Probably will cost 50% of the phone's price to get the battery replaced "officially". Because I don't see how the repair guys are supposed to remove the battery without compromising it or the device (and in most cases, it's a swollen battery, so danger is multiplied).

                    • G
                    • GIF
                    • Ixv
                    • 10 May 2019

                    AnonD-794217, 10 May 2019Even you bring it to service center, the battery was glued ... moreAnd? When you are bringing to official service centre then there's warranty also on new battery and the process. If they brake something then you can even get new phone. That's why I'm only buying phones which have official service centre in my country/city. Unfortunately no Chinese brand services that's why I'm avoiding them.

                      GIF, 10 May 2019Why would you replace battery by yourself? Bring to service... morebecause its cheaper and faster, like when i change my 6s battery for less than $10 and take less than 30 minutes to change it. no more long waiting, no more pricey replacement, and i can secure my data (most authorized service like to wipe out user data before and after repair)

                        • D
                        • AnonD-816568
                        • t@g
                        • 10 May 2019

                        GIF, 10 May 2019Why would you replace battery by yourself? Bring to service... moreBecause it's way.... cheaper and faster, i bought the new battery with 1year warranty for my Xiaomi Mi4C and replace it by myself it only cost me $10.

                          • N
                          • No more
                          • Kx1
                          • 10 May 2019

                          GIF, 10 May 2019Why would you replace battery by yourself? Bring to service... moreMost warranty ended before battery need to be replaced. Last time I replaced my Sony battery, I need to go 300 miles away from my home into their service center, they need 1 week without replacement and I must pay 1/4 phone cost just for battery and they Goddarn wipe my data ffs. Btw, it was joint authorized service center for almost all phone brand in my area.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • Hq4
                            • 10 May 2019

                            Slow news day huh GSMarena

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • I8m
                              • 10 May 2019

                              This is insanity

                                • D
                                • AnonD-794217
                                • wrc
                                • 10 May 2019

                                GIF, 10 May 2019Why would you replace battery by yourself? Bring to service... moreEven you bring it to service center, the battery was glued hard which is harder and riskier to replace.

                                  • C
                                  • Carl
                                  • 0WL
                                  • 10 May 2019

                                  GIF, 10 May 2019Why would you replace battery by yourself? Bring to service... moreIf you still have official warranty. If not.. pay all they ask to you because replace it is dangerous......... Well, glad to know it. Absolutly discarded as a usually want to keep some of phones as a backup or other reasons 3-5 years and always end doing some battery replacement by myself.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 61W
                                    • 10 May 2019

                                    taking planned obsolescence to another level. taking my indifferences to LG phones to another level also.

                                      The irony considering LG was the last to offer removable batteries with their flagships.

                                        • G
                                        • GIF
                                        • Ixv
                                        • 10 May 2019

                                        Why would you replace battery by yourself? Bring to service and have warranty on new one as well.