European Union's new directive promoting sustainable consumer electronics, known as Ecodesign, comes into effect in June 2025. Among other things, it mandates that smartphones must receive software updates for a minimum of five years.
European Union's new Ecodesign legislation, aimed at improving repairability and extending the lifespan of electronics, partially takes effect on June 20, 2025.
Perhaps the most significant shake-up in the new rules targets budget smartphones, but the law will also ripple through the higher-end device market.
Only in recent years have Android manufacturers started gradually extending their software update commitments--that is, how many major Android version upgrades a phone receives during its lifecycle and how many years of security updates are guaranteed.
For cheaper phones, say, phones under €300, most brands have so far promised just two Android updates - with security patches for only two or three years. Some manufacturers have even launched phones in recent years with zero guaranteed Android upgrades and just two years of security updates.
That's about to change.
The Ecodesign regulation mandates that all smartphones sold in the EU must receive software updates for at least five years.
However, "software updates" can apparently be limited to security patches -- manufacturers won't be required to deliver major Android version upgrades under this rule.
The five-year clock starts ticking from the moment the phone is first released for sale in the EU, not when a customer buys it. So the release date matters - not the purchase date.
If you're shopping for a new phone, we recommend checking the release date and phone's current Android update policy using Android Update Tracker's phone database, where you'll find phones' technical specs and also their release dates.
This regulation is highly needed, as many consumers in Europe (and elsewhere) still use smartphones long after their support period has ended. This exposes users to quite significant risks, as there are quite a few unpatched security vulnerabilities known in older Android versions.
One major downside of the new law is that it may drive ultra-budget phones out of the European market altogether. Manufacturers might conclude that it's not worth providing five years of updates for €100 phones and instead restrict those models to markets outside the EU.
It could also mean that the very same phone might get 5 years' worth of updates in Europe, but less in other markets.
The Ecodesign directive is part of the broader EU right-to-repair initiative, which aims to promote longevity and repairability in consumer products.
It also lays out rules for battery durability -- batteries must retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 800 charging cycles.
Manufacturers will be required to provide spare parts for up to seven years after a phone is officially discontinued. What's more, repair shops must receive ordered spare parts within 10 working days.
Interestingly, the law also mandates that new smartphones must meet certain standards for resistance to water and dust going forward.
Perhaps the most significant shake-up in the new rules targets budget smartphones, but the law will also ripple through the higher-end device market.
Only in recent years have Android manufacturers started gradually extending their software update commitments--that is, how many major Android version upgrades a phone receives during its lifecycle and how many years of security updates are guaranteed.
For cheaper phones, say, phones under €300, most brands have so far promised just two Android updates - with security patches for only two or three years. Some manufacturers have even launched phones in recent years with zero guaranteed Android upgrades and just two years of security updates.
That's about to change.
The Ecodesign regulation mandates that all smartphones sold in the EU must receive software updates for at least five years.
However, "software updates" can apparently be limited to security patches -- manufacturers won't be required to deliver major Android version upgrades under this rule.
The five-year clock starts ticking from the moment the phone is first released for sale in the EU, not when a customer buys it. So the release date matters - not the purchase date.
If you're shopping for a new phone, we recommend checking the release date and phone's current Android update policy using Android Update Tracker's phone database, where you'll find phones' technical specs and also their release dates.
This regulation is highly needed, as many consumers in Europe (and elsewhere) still use smartphones long after their support period has ended. This exposes users to quite significant risks, as there are quite a few unpatched security vulnerabilities known in older Android versions.
Potential pitfalls - and other key points
One major downside of the new law is that it may drive ultra-budget phones out of the European market altogether. Manufacturers might conclude that it's not worth providing five years of updates for €100 phones and instead restrict those models to markets outside the EU.
It could also mean that the very same phone might get 5 years' worth of updates in Europe, but less in other markets.
The Ecodesign directive is part of the broader EU right-to-repair initiative, which aims to promote longevity and repairability in consumer products.
It also lays out rules for battery durability -- batteries must retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 800 charging cycles.
Manufacturers will be required to provide spare parts for up to seven years after a phone is officially discontinued. What's more, repair shops must receive ordered spare parts within 10 working days.
Interestingly, the law also mandates that new smartphones must meet certain standards for resistance to water and dust going forward.
