"The battery itself is usually a custom shape for greater efficiency."
Not to mention the waterproofing. My S5 had a replaceable battery and the waterproofing was a little rubber seal on a clip on back panel. I used the phone in the rain but didn't really trust it around more water. The S7 has a fixed battery, and the waterproofing is considerably more solid.
That said, I'd be happy with a slightly thicker phone and a screw on back if I could change the battery. A fixed battery might make sense in a cheap little WiFi media sharer, but in a phone in the £500+ bracket it takes the piss somewhat - built in obsolescence...
Biting the hand that feeds IT
