A new European Union law coming into effect on June 20 mandates smartphone makers to provide five years of software updates, energy labels, and improved repairability—setting new standards that may reshape the global smartphone industry.
Smartphone manufacturers selling devices in the European Union will soon be held to stricter standards under new legislation aimed at boosting product longevity, sustainability, and consumer protection. Beginning June 20, companies will be required to offer at least five years of software updates and disclose detailed product durability information through energy labels.
The EU directive, part of the Energy Labelling and Ecodesign Regulation, is intended to curb electronic waste and protect consumers from low-quality devices that quickly become obsolete.
The law requires all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU to meet several key criteria:
Five years of software update support after a device's market release
Energy labels that show a device’s battery longevity, repairability score, energy efficiency, and resistance to water and dust
Minimum IP rating to guarantee protection against water, dust, and everyday wear
Durable batteries that maintain 80% capacity after 800 charge cycles
Spare parts availability for up to seven years, delivered within 5–10 working days
Samsung appears to be ahead of the curve, with many of its flagship and mid-range Galaxy devices already meeting or exceeding these requirements. Recent Samsung models offer up to six years of software updates, and even budget-friendly devices often include IP ratings for water and dust resistance.
In contrast, brands like Xiaomi, Honor, and other budget-focused OEMs may struggle to comply, especially in terms of long-term software support and hardware durability.
The EU’s push for more sustainable and repairable technology aligns with broader environmental goals and consumer rights policies. It could also influence markets outside Europe, as manufacturers may opt to standardize their practices globally rather than develop region-specific models.
As the legislation comes into force, consumers can expect better transparency and longer-lasting devices, signaling a major shift in the mobile tech industry’s approach to sustainability and after-sales support.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in ta...
A survivor of the air strike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation centre described scenes of devastation, saying patients w...
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the country’s military killed two of Iran’s most senior security figu...
More than 400 people were killed and around 250 injured in an air strike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul late on Monday, Afghan official...
Kazakhstan’Kazakhstan’s lower house has approved plans for a green energy corridor with Azerbaijan and Uz...
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in targeted strikes on the country.
A survivor of the air strike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation centre described scenes of devastation, saying patients were engulfed in flames moments after explosions tore through the facility late Monday (16 March).
The real power of the Strait of Hormuz lies not in closing it, but in the threat of closure.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the country’s military killed two of Iran’s most senior security figures in overnight airstrikes, as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate.
The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in targeted strikes on the country.
Kazakhstan has adopted a new constitution that could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to stay in power beyond 2029. The Central Election Commission confirmed that 87.15% of voters backed the constitution in a referendum held on Sunday (17 March).
The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.
China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.
The European Commission sees no immediate impact on the European Union's security of oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it said in an email to EU governments, seen by Reuters on Monday (2 March).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment