Why Can’t we fix our own tech?
Modern electronics are becoming increasingly difficult to repair, despite advancements in technology.
Smartphones, laptops and other consumer devices frequently rely on adhesives, specialised components and tightly integrated hardware that can make even simple repairs challenging.
Some manufacturers also restrict access to replacement parts, diagnostic software and repair documentation, limiting the options available to independent technicians and consumers.
While certain design decisions improve water resistance, durability and compactness, they can also make maintaining a device more expensive than replacing it.
As a result, perfectly functional technology can become impractical to repair because of a single failed component.
tHE COST OF REPLACEMENT_
When repairing technology becomes too complicated or expensive, replacement often becomes the preferred option, contributing to the growing problem of electronic waste.
According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2024, approximately 62 million tonnes of electronic waste were generated worldwide in 2022, yet only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled.
The remaining waste followed routes that were not fully documented, including informal handling and disposal.
Although not every discarded device could have been repaired, extending the lifespan of usable electronics can help reduce premature replacement and preserve the valuable materials already invested in their production.
THE FUTURE OF REPAIRABILITY_
Fortunately, efforts to make technology more repairable are beginning to influence how products are designed and supported.
Since June 2025, European Union ecodesign requirements have introduced stronger durability and repairability standards for covered smartphones and tablets.
These include batteries capable of retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity after 800 charging cycles, availability of specified replacement parts for seven years after a model stops being sold, and operating system upgrades for at least five years after the final unit enters the EU market.
Although these requirements do not apply universally, they demonstrate how product design and regulation can help consumers maintain devices for longer rather than replacing them unnecessarily.
