The decision could have a global impact.

All smartphones, including iPhones, must have replaceable batteries by 2027 in the EU::undefined

  • aard@kyu.deEnglish
    11·
    1 year ago

    We already have regulations about spare parts availability and pricing for some devices (mainly household appliances) - and it is planned to slowly enforce regulation for other device types over time. They’ll watch the market, and if apple decides to be stupid that’ll come pretty quickly.

    Just like with the appliances where some vendors had their shops ready way before regulation we already have some phone vendors prepare for that - like Nokia selling some spares via ifixit. So if apple decides to play stupid games it’ll be up against vendors that’ll be completely fine pushing regulation through quickly as hurting apple will only benefit them.

    • chiliedogg@lemmy.worldEnglish
      10·
      1 year ago

      I had a washing machine where the price of the replacement motherboard (ludicrous this is this even a thing, btw) was triple the price of the entire washing machine.

      Making parts available doesn’t make it realistic to repair stuff.

      • aard@kyu.deEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        replacement motherboard (ludicrous this is this even a thing

        A lot of energy and water savings in modern machines are due to the electronics used. Also, replacement of weight to keep the machine from wandering around during spin cycles with sensors and attempts to rebalance laundry, if necessary.

        was triple the price of the entire washing machine.

        The EU commission is aware of that, though for now hopes their ecodesign initiative for repairable products will be enough to push vendors in the right direction. Given that all of this is pretty new it’s quite impressive to see how some vendors are embracing it already - I first noticed it when replacing an ancient kitchen oven, and in the shop next to spare sheets I could get all electronic components used in that thing.

        I imagine they’ll monitor the situation, and will have a chat with problematic companies based on that, or consumer protection complaints - like they did with the switch joycon drift thing, which I think was one of the first instances where eco design was referenced as reason for taking action.

    • Yendor@reddthat.comEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Just like with the appliances where some vendors had their shops ready way before regulation we already have some phone vendors prepare for that - like Nokia selling some spares via ifixit. So if apple decides to play stupid games it’ll be up against vendors that’ll be completely fine pushing regulation through quickly as hurting apple will only benefit them.

      You mean like Apple’s Self Service Repair, which has been available for a few years now?…

      https://support.apple.com/self-service-repair