1727
It's official: Smartphones will need to have replaceable batteries by 2027
(www.androidauthority.com)
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
I had a Galaxy S5 which I think was IP67 (someone fact check me on that), and a removable battery. It definitely didn't have a premium feel, and it got eviscerated in reviews for that. That didn't bother me though. Though, the backing cracked and the little plastic clips broke off rather quickly. I think if they had a metal backing that was held on by a regular (albeit tiny) Philips head screw(s), they could have a user replaceable battery on a premium phone with IP68 no problem.
According to wiki, you remembered right!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S5
It's mentioned in this thread here that there is the xCover model series which have user replaceable batteries still. The 6 pro was released just last year So much for manufacturers having to figure things out from ground up bollocks
I have that device. It's definitely a thick boi but in no way does it not feel "not premium". I vastly prefer the grippy texturized back cover and sides to slippery glass/aluminium. It's one of the few devices that feels great in had without a case.
Premium means different things to different people. Plastic is never premium.
Does it really even matter though? Vast majority of people are going to put it in a plastic case anyways.
Nooooooooo
Pretty much all Androids I have taken apart were Phillips head screws. iPhones have like 5 slightly different types in each phone, it's nonsense
Most cellphone covers on these premium phones don't feel all that premium themselves, so it's ok if the phone doesn't, either.