You got a quote for $300 screen repair—on a phone that costs $380 used. So you ditched it and bought a new one. Sound familiar? 80% of Germans have abandoned a repair because it seemed too expensive. That's about to change.
On January 15, 2026, Germany's Federal Ministry of Justice published a draft law on the Right to Repair. Deadline: July 31, 2026. That's when EU Directive 2024/1799 becomes German law—with three real improvements for you as a smartphone user. The Right to Repair is one of the most important consumer protection reforms in recent years and primarily affects electronics like smartphones.
What the Right to Repair Means for Smartphones
The new rules cover three areas:
Spare parts must be available. Manufacturers have to keep key replacement parts in stock for at least seven years after a model stops production. According to the EU Commission, parts must reach repair services within five to ten working days.
Batteries must last longer. Smartphone batteries need to withstand at least 800 charge cycles while retaining 80% of their original capacity. That's about two years of daily charging—without the battery dying after just one year.
Software updates for five years. Security updates are mandatory for five years. That significantly extends how long you can use your phone. These regulations apply to laptops as well—another reason to consider refurbished devices.
The New Repairability Index
Since June 2025, all smartphones sold in the EU carry an energy label with a repairability index. This is part of the new Right to Repair and aims to make buying decisions more transparent. The scale runs from A (highly repairable) to E (barely repairable). A QR code on the label links to the EPREL database with detailed specifications.
This is useful when shopping. A smartphone rated A or B will cost less to repair later and holds its resale value better. Similar to the repairability index, refurbished device condition grades also indicate quality and state—from "Like new" to "Acceptable".
Smartphone repairability is now standardized and comparable across the EU for the first time.
But here's the catch: An A rating doesn't guarantee affordable repairs. iFixit calculated that manufacturers could charge 60% of the device price for a screen and still comply. For an $800 smartphone, that's $480 for a display. The law says nothing about prices.
Extended Warranty When You Choose Repair
One detail of the Right to Repair many people miss: If you opt for repair instead of replacement when something breaks, your warranty extends from two to three years. This applies to all products covered by the new directive.
Example: Cracked screen after 18 months. You repair instead of replace—and you've got 18 months of warranty left instead of just 6.
What the Rules Don't Fix
The Right to Repair Europe coalition points to gaps in the Right to Repair: Only five of 15 mandated spare part types are accessible to consumers and repair cafes. The other ten are reserved for certified workshops.
And here's the disappointment: User-replaceable screens were originally in the draft—the most common smartphone damage. But the requirement was dropped at the last minute.
What This Means for Refurbished Buyers
Here's where it gets interesting for refurbished buyers: The new rules also apply to older devices. An iPhone 15 from 2025 will have spare parts available until at least 2032—whether you buy it new or refurbished in 2027. That makes refurbished smartphones more attractive than ever.
Every refurbished iPhone saves around 80kg of CO2 compared to buying new—equivalent to a 250-mile car trip. And with better repairability in newer device generations, you can use a pre-owned model for longer. Read more about how refurbished helps the environment and why extended use is key to sustainability.
According to a Vodafone survey, 40% of Germans would be happy to receive a refurbished smartphone as a gift. 18% have already bought one.
Bottom Line: Just the Beginning
The Right to Repair is a step in the right direction—but just a step. Seven years of spare parts and repairability labels are good. That manufacturers can still charge 60% of retail price for displays and ten of 15 parts go only to certified shops? Not so good.
For you as a buyer: Pay attention to the repairability index from now on. Devices with A or B ratings are cheaper to maintain later. And if you're already considering refurbished—now more than ever. The new longevity rules make refurbished smartphones the smartest choice in 2026.
