Tips from Consumer Centre Bochum on identifying long-lasting smartphones
Ready to find out how to choose long-lasting smartphones?
With approximately 69 million smartphone users in Germany and over 20 million households owning tablets, the pace at which devices are replaced is influenced not only by technological advancements and personal tastes but also by the devices' endurance, battery life, and ease of repair.
Starting from June 20, 2025, the EU's eco-design energy label will become mandatory for new mobile devices on the market. This label isn't just about energy consumption; it also assesses factors crucial for a device's longevity—namely, its performance in drop tests, resistance to moisture and dust, battery life, and repairability, graded on a scale from A to E.
According to Philip Heldt, an expert in environmental and resource protection at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center, this label makes it simpler for consumers to pick durable products. However, the savings from repairs may not always be clear, as manufacturers control the prices of replacement parts. Heldt suggests that purchasing a well-repairable second-hand smartphone could be an even more eco-friendly and cost-effective decision.
Want to learn more? Check out www.verbraucherzentrale.nrw/node/107923.
What The EU's Eco-Design Energy Label Evaluates:
Durability:
- Devices are drop-tested and rated from A to E based on their tolerance.
- They must meet rigorous protection standards against dust and water ingress.
Battery Life:
- The label shows the battery life in hours and minutes after a full charge.
- Battery longevity is well-regulated: batteries must endure at least 800 charge-discharge cycles while maintaining 80% capacity.
- The label also features a battery life cycle rating, demonstrating the battery's long-term durability.
Repairability:
- Devices are graded on a scale from A to E, representing their ease of repair (such as part availability, opening accessibility, and repair manuals).
This labeling system offers users straightforward, standardized information on energy efficiency, durability, battery life, and repairability at the point of sale. Comparing devices based on their presumed lifespan, robustness, and easiness of repair empowers consumers to prioritize energy-efficient devices with long useful lives, thus reducing waste and potentially preventing costly replacements. The EU's requirement for manufacturers to register their products in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) ensures that the information used for informed purchases is trustworthy and accessible.
Choosing long-lasting smartphones or gadgets becomes simpler with the EU's eco-design energy label, as it assesses essential factors like drop tolerance, resistance to moisture and dust, battery life, and repairability, graded from A to E. This label helps consumers make informed decisions by providing standardized information about energy efficiency, durability, battery life, and repairability at the point of sale, empowering them to prioritize devices with long useful lives and reduce waste.
