zlacker

>>skille+(OP)
I feel like the elephant in the room is that there's no phone battery that's going to stay useful in anywhere close to that time frame, and replacing phone batteries is usually a losing proposition. I've tried, several times. Fake, low-quality batteries are rampant (usually degrading within weeks), and genuine ones are prohibitively expensive -- usually a significant fraction of the cost of a new phone.

>>wheels+B7
I replaced the batteries in my mom's iPhone and dad's Motorola at about the same time last year. I agree it should be easier to do, but it's definitely not a losing proposition. They both turned out very well and cost < $20 each.

I'd love a return to the old snap-fit plastic cases. Besides the ease of battery replacement, those phones seemed much more durable. Maybe because there was something that gave way on impact? I remember watching in horror as the plastic cover of an old LG shot under the display shelving at Home Depot at approximately the same speed the phone hit the concrete floor. I never used a case with one of those phones, nor did I ever crack a screen. It was tricky digging that cover out from under the shelving, however.

>>alamor+ri
When you refer to snap-fit plastic cases being more durable, I presume you're not talking about water and dust resistance.

>>tshadd+en
Somehow I never had water or dust problems with any snap case device that’s had a battery, though.

>>everdr+Dy
Maybe you never had an issue, but today's phones are quite a bit more water resistant than the removable battery phones of yore. You can dunk them in water and you're usually fine! iPhones, at least.

I'm not sure dust was ever really a problem for most people. Although, for those in sandy/dusty environments (deserts, some industrial situations, etc) I bet it was a problem.

More to the point, though: I don't think it has to be an either/or choice. Casio makes a crapload of 200M water-resistant watches that sell for $50 or less. This includes both plastic (G-Shock, mostly) and full-metal models (MDV-106/107). The secret is (gasp)... a frigging thin rubber gasket. I frankly don't see any reason why we can't have this level of water resistance in a phone.

We would have to sacrifice thinness and lightness, but not by much. I think a lot of people would happily make that trade.