Samsung & apple lag behind: repairability scores reveal a broken system
The smartphone giants, Samsung and Apple, are failing to meet repairability standards, according to a new report from the US PIRG Education Fund. The ‘Failing the Fix’ assessment places them at the bottom of the rankings, significantly behind competitors like Motorola and Google.
A system designed to fail?
The study, utilizing the EU’s EPREL repairability scoring system – a more stringent measure than previous attempts – highlights a critical issue: deliberate obstruction of consumer repair options. Both companies, despite offering extensive software support, strategically minimized their EPREL scores by declaring only the bare minimum of five years of updates, effectively hamstringing their repairability ratings.
Furthermore, their membership in lobbying groups like TechNet and the Consumer Technology Association – organizations actively opposing Right to Repair legislation – has been factored into the scoring. Apple and Samsung actively resist consumer access to parts and repair information, prioritizing controlled repair networks over genuine user empowerment.
Despite supporting repair-friendly laws in some instances, like Google and Microsoft in Washington state, their overall approach remains stubbornly resistant to change. The limited evaluation of just five Samsung models – a smaller dataset than competitors – further complicates a direct comparison, though the underlying trend is undeniable: these companies are prioritizing profit over consumer convenience.
The report’s authors acknowledge a key blind spot: the lack of consideration for the cost of replacement parts. The high price of necessary components effectively incentivizes consumers to simply purchase new devices, perpetuating a cycle of planned obsolescence. While the EU is exploring this omission in future iterations of the EPREL system, the current framework fails to address this fundamental barrier to repair.
Ultimately, the message is stark: Samsung and Apple, as the world’s dominant smartphone manufacturers, should be setting the standard for repairability, not lagging behind. Their reluctance to embrace accessible repair options represents a missed opportunity, effectively locking consumers into a system designed to generate ongoing revenue rather than fostering long-term product value. It’s a fundamentally flawed strategy that undermines consumer trust and, frankly, represents a significant oversight from two companies with the resources to do better.”}n,n