I think 90% chance of apple going for the EU-Specific model just like they did for Digital markets act, 10 chance of screws, 0% chance of actually popping the back cover off with bare hands.
For Samsung, 50% chance EU-Specific models 40% chance screws, 10% chance back cover tool-less removal. (Edit: typo)
As for other smaller manufacturers, probably just 50%/50% either screws or tool-less back cover removal.
Some companies are still trying.
I’ve got a ulefone 27T. It’s the phone equivalent of a tank. It also includes thermal and night vision, and underwater video modes. I would also give it good odds of surviving being used as a self defence weapon.
Downside is it’s a relatively unknown Chinese brand.
Yeah, some are. It’s just unfortunate that you frequently have to pre-order, fund a kickstarter, or roll the dice with some unknown Chinese brand that may or may not ever see a software update/3rd party ROM support. That, or they’re more expensive because of the smaller production runs.
I really like the PlanetCom ones, but they’re a bit pricey and have some quirks that would probably make them not a good fit for me as a daily driver. Not sure I’d want to pay those prices for a secondary device.
I did order a Minimal Phone the other day (July batch), so hopefully should have that toward the end of July/early August.
Until then, I’ll keep using my Cat S22 Flip which I have grown to actually love.