- Apple launched its first self-repair scheme in the US in April, with Europe to follow later this year. However, unlike others recently launched by Samsung, Google, HTC and Microsoft, the company is maintaining complete control over its programme. Its rivals have partnered with independent repairs specialist and replacement-parts supplier iFixit.
Leading electronics companies have gradually come around to addressing the demands of right-to-repair campaigners as politicians have become more open to introducing laws. France was the first country to do so in January 2021 and plans to extend the repairability scores it mandates across a range of electronic products to include durability.
It is fair to say that most consumers will still prefer to have repairs carried out by an expert (though equally true that most E&T readers will feel like part of the exception). Installing a new SIM tray and even an adhesive-fixed battery can be relatively trivial tasks;...