> All you really need are easy to replace batteries.

They are easy _enough_ to replace already. Is it as easy as 20 years ago? Surely not. It also seems reasonable that something you're going to be realistically doing once per 3-4 years would require 1 or 2 hours.

Moreover, the regulation doesn't affect this process, apart from "no proprietary tools".

> That’s the only part that will wear out within a reasonable lifecycle.

Millions of broken screens and back glass/plastic panels beg to differ.

And the only part that an average user can hope to replace. I tried to replace a cracked sceen once, and ruined the phone. And I consider myself pretty handy, I do all my own car repairs, household plumbing, etc.