EU’s new rules will shake up Android update policies

[billbond4]

Good news for Android users

• The EU's Energy Labelling and Ecodesign Regulation for smartphones and tablets go into effect later this month.
• They require companies to provide longer software support — at least five years from the date of their last sale.
• It also mandates companies to put an energy label on their devices, highlighting the efficiency, battery longevity, and repairability scores.

Over the last few years, the European Union has directed smartphone manufacturers to make several changes to their product portfolios to benefit consumers. This includes making USB-C the standard connector for a wide range of consumer electronics, including phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. It even forced Apple to enable third-party App Stores and sideloading of apps. Now, the EU's new directive under the Energy Labelling and Ecodesign Regulation will take effect later this month, extending the overall product lifespan of smartphones and tablets.

Starting from June 20, 2025, smartphones and tablets sold in the European Union must adhere to the following design requirements (via European Commission😞

• Resistance to accidental drops or scratches and protection from dust and water
• Sufficiently durable batteries which can withstand at least 800 charge and discharge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity
• Rules on disassembly and repair, including obligations for producers to make critical spare parts available within 5-10 working days, and for 7 years after the end of sales of the product model on the EU market
• Availability of operating system upgrades for longer periods (at least 5 years from the date of the end of placement on the market of the last unit of a product model)
• Non-discriminatory access for professional repairers to any software or firmware needed for the replacement

Almost all mid-range and high-end phones nowadays feature an IP rating, so they can easily adhere to the EU's new design directive. The European Union will now require companies to provide key spare parts within 10 working days for up to seven years after they stop selling a device. This change should significantly extend the lifespan of a phone or tablet and make repairs easier for users.

The Ecodesign Regulation also requires companies to deliver software updates for at least five years after the product's last day of retail availability (via Heise Online). While Google and Samsung provide seven years of OS updates for their flagship phones, their timeline begins from the device's launch date.

Under the EU's new rules, these companies may need to either extend software support even further or discontinue sales of older flagship models after two years. Brands like Xiaomi and Honor will be significantly impacted due to the new directive, as they currently offer only a maximum of five years of updates from the device's launch date.

These changes will only apply to new smartphones and tablets that go on sale on or after June 20, 2025, and don't apply to existing devices.

From June 20 this month, the EU's Energy Labelling requirements also go into effect. It mandates device manufacturers to display an energy label on their smartphones and tablets, showing the energy efficiency, battery longevity, dust and water ingress protection, and a repairability score.

Energy efficiency will be rated on a scale from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G the least. Likewise, manufacturers will have to mention the battery endurance in hours and minutes per full battery charge cycle.

The European Union claims that phones and tablets that adhere to its new energy regulations will help save nearly 14 terawatt-hours yearly by 2030.

Source 
https://www.androidpolice.com/eu-new-rules-will-shake-up-android-update-policies/

[Three_Stacey]

Thanks very much for sharing this @billbond4