Android users can expect major changes in Europe

Get ready if you are an Android user living in Europe. There are some major changes coming that will make your phone last longer and cost less to repair. They could also help the environment.

Starting next summer, the European Union will introduce a set of new rules that will force manufacturers, to rethink their design, updating, and repairing your favorite gadgets. What you need to be aware of

New EU rules make it easier and cheaper to fix your phone

It’s no secret the EU is committed to protecting the environment and consumers. They have done everything from pushing Apple to let you sideload applications to making USB-C universal. Now, from June 2025, the new Energy Labelling and Ecodesign Regulation is turning its attention to how long your smartphone or tablet should last—and what manufacturers must do to keep them running.

Here are some highlights:

• Drop, Dust and Water ResistantAll new devices should be stronger, able to withstand the inevitable mishaps and rainstorms.
• Stronger BatteriesBattery life will be a major concern for devices. They need to have a capacity of at least 800 charges, and retain 80% or more of their original energy.
• Spare Parts on DemandManufacturers are required to keep spare parts for critical models available for a minimum of seven years following the end of a model’s sale and provide them within 10 days.
• Longer software updates: The days of a two- or three-year update cycle are numbered—new phones and tablets will need at least five years of software and security updates from the last day the device is sold.
• Repairer Friendly Software: No more locking out the professionals—repairers must have the same access to software tools as the manufacturers’ own teams.

The new EU rules for Android phones

The durability of most mid-range and top-end models is well-established. But the biggest shift will be on how long your smartphone stays up to date and secure. You’ll get at least five years worth of updates if you purchase a smartphone after June 2025. This means that your next phone could easily outlive your current one, which makes upgrades less urgent and more cost-effective.

Samsung and Google lead the pack with flagship models offering seven years’ worth of updates. The new rules require that the support period begin. After the conclusion of the election, The first time a new phone is launched, it will not be sold. This could force manufacturers to reconsider how long older models are kept on the shelves or to make even more promises about updates.

This is also an alarm for brands like Xiaomi, which typically only offer five years’ worth of updates after their launch. Either they’ll need to extend their support or phase older models out sooner.

Worried about your current device? The rules only apply to new smartphones and tablets released from June 2025 onwards—so your trusty old phone won’t suddenly get extra years of updates.

What EU buyers should know about energy labels and repairability scores

Another big change is coming in June. energy labels On every smartphone or tablet. Like when you purchase a washing or fridge, you will be able see in a single glance how efficient the phone is. You can also check how long its battery should last.

Labels will include:

• Efficiency ratings from A to G
• Battery endurance shown in hours and minute per charge
• How well does the phone resist dust and water?
• Repairability Score

What is the goal? The goal?

What does it all mean for me? When you purchase your next Android smartphone or tablet, you will have more options, more information, as well as more rights. Devices must be able to last for longer, are easier to maintain, and remain secure throughout the years. With clear energy labels it will be easier to identify which models are the most efficient.

While tech companies scramble for ways to adapt, Europe is leading in the effort to put real power in consumers’s hands. And in your next smartphone, this power may just last a bit longer.