Just for your information, the article notes this was a change pushed by U.S. officials in the context of the Meta glasses (the ones with always-on cameras), and that is applies to all sorts of wearable electronics (including the Meta glasses).

Of course, it is also in Apple's benefit to charge users a ridiculous amount of money for repairs, as it is for other big tech giants who produce wearables. No doubt all of them are colluding with the U.S. government, in exchange for money and likely personal data too

”By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the following products incorporating portable batteries may be designed in such a way as to make the battery removable and replaceable only by independent professionals:
(a) appliances specifically designed to operate primarily in an environment that is regularly subject to splashing water, water streams or water immersion, and that are intended to be washable or rinseable;”

How is a wristwatch not designed for an environment that is regularly subject to splashing water? I wash my hands several times a day.

It shouldn't be any more difficult than it was when smartphones first appeared and had them - they worked just fine. It was about squeezing customers by forcing them to upgrade when the batteries wore out.

It does not exempts new devices from small companies, making it more difficult to compete with the tech giants.