Longer Mobile Phone Lifespan and Battle Against Cable Clutter from 2025

The new year also brings some changes to the design of mobile phones and charging cables. An EU-wide regulation comes into effect on June 20, aimed at making smartphones more durable and repairable.

Furthermore, the end of 2024 will see the end of cable clutter: From then on, all smartphones, digital cameras, headphones, tablets or video game consoles must have uniform charging ports.

Smartphones to be More Durable and Repairable from 2025

To curb the mountain of electronic waste, 2025 will see corresponding changes in both the design and production of smartphones, tablets and cordless phones. The new EU regulation stipulates, among other things, that components such as batteries should be easier and quicker to replace. In addition, the lifespan of batteries must be extended, repairs simplified, and the product made more resilient.

At least five years after a model is launched, the provider must also provide software updates. If it is removed from the market, the provider must guarantee spare parts for it for a further seven years.

End of Cable Clutter: Uniform Chargers

The EU Commission and EU Parliament have worked for more than fifteen years on a uniform regulation for chargers. Specifically, from December 28, 2024, most devices affected by the regulation - smartphones, digital cameras, headphones, tablets or video game consoles - must have a USB-C port. From the end of April 2026, the requirements will also apply to laptops. The new rules are expected to reduce electronic waste in the EU by almost 1,000 tons annually and save thousands of tons of CO2.

(APA/Red)

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