Better Batteries and Energy Labels: Smartphones Are Set for a Revolution

In just 2 weeks, the EU Commission regulation will enter into force, introducing revolutionary changes for smartphone manufacturers. Longer-lasting batteries, longer periods of receiving updates and greater resistance to damage are just some of the requirements imposed on new devices introduced to the market.

The regulation of 16 June 2023 on ecodesign for smartphones, other mobile phones and tablets will enter into force on 20 June 2025. Its aim is to reduce the impact of these devices on the environment by improving durability, repairability and energy efficiency. Consumers will benefit from the changes, while manufacturers will have to adapt to the new guidelines.

New requirements start at the design stage of devices. Manufacturers must increase the resistance of smartphones to falls, dust and water. The battery should withstand at least 800 charging cycles while maintaining at least 80% capacity . In practice, this means the need to adjust the battery settings so that the device can be used for as long as possible on a single charge and an end to the so-called "aging" of devices leading to the replacement of the smartphone.

The EU Commission regulation also imposes specific obligations regarding the possibility of repairs. Devices should have a modular design, in which it is easy to replace the battery or screen. The manufacturer must also make spare parts available to service points for 7 years after the end of sale of a given model, and the delivery to the service must take place within 5-10 working days. The new requirements will also hinder practices that favor authorized service points; from June 20, professional companies will have to be provided with software and tools in the same way as entities recommended by manufacturers.

One of the pain points of smartphone users is regular software and security updates. As a rule, they are only provided for the first few years after the release of a given model, so the lack of security patches later on clearly affects the use of the phone. The regulations introduce the obligation to provide software updates for at least 5 years from the smartphone's entry into the market , including security patches and device functions.

On June 20, a regulation will also come into force that complements the energy labeling framework. Manufacturers, importers and sellers of smartphones and tablets will be required to attach an energy label to the devices containing:

• energy efficiency class from A (best) to G (worst),
• battery life on one charge ,
• battery durability in charging cycles,
• fall resistance class ,
• degree of ease of repair,
• IP rating showing resistance to dust and water,
• QR code to technical details in the EPREL database (European Product Register for Energy Labelling).

The new regulations apply to both stationary and online stores.

EU requirements for smartphones and tablets may revolutionize the market for these devices. On the one hand, they will be more durable and safer thanks to longer updates, and consumers will gain more knowledge, for example, about the phone's energy consumption. On the other hand, the regulations will force a change in the approach of manufacturers, who will have to increase their expenditure on designing and testing smartphones, improve the availability of spare parts or security and function patches. Samsung warned in May that the prices of its devices could increase due to US customs policy , so it can be expected that the requirements coming into force will have an even greater impact on the strategy of this and other manufacturers.

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