How fixable is your phone? This is what the new EU report says!

Dropping your phone and the screen is broken. Or your battery that barely lasts half a day after two years. Recognizable? Then, of course, you want your device to be easy to repair. But how well do Apple, Samsung and other brands actually score on repairability? A brand new report provides the answer, and the results are surprising.

In this blog, we discuss:

1. What is the Failing the Fix 2026 report?
2. The repairability scores by brand
3. Why do Samsung and Apple score so low?
4. The new EU energy label for phones
5. What does this mean for you as a consumer?
6. Frequently asked questions about repairability

What is the Failing the Fix 2026 report?

The “Failing the Fix 2026” report is a comprehensive study by the US research organization US PIRG Education Fund. The report rates 105 devices on how easy they are to repair. Think smartphones, laptops and tablets from all major brands.

What makes this year special: for the first time, the European EPREL method is being used. That’s the system behind the new EU energy label you see on phones in stores since last year. This method is more rigorous and realistic than older rating systems, so the scores give a better picture of how repairable a device really is.

The repairability scores by brand

And now the moment of truth. How do the major brands score? The report gives grades from A (very repairable) to E (very poorly repairable). Here are the results for smartphones:

Motorola – B+
The surprising winner! Motorola phones are the easiest to open, use standard tools and offer good access to parts.

Google Pixel – C-
Google is in the mid-range. Pixel phones are reasonably repairable, but there is still room for improvement.

Samsung – D
Samsung scores disappointingly with a D. Despite being the world’s largest smartphone maker, Galaxy devices are not exactly repair-friendly designs.

Apple – D-
Apple dangles at the very bottom with the lowest score. iPhones are the most difficult to repair of all the brands tested.

For laptops, by the way, the picture looks different: there, ASUS scores best with a B+, followed by Acer (B) and HP, Dell and Samsung (all B-). Apple is also at the bottom in laptops with a C-.

Why do Samsung and Apple score so low?

You may be wondering: how is it that the world’s two biggest smartphone brands score so poorly? There are a few key reasons for this.

First, the use of special screws and glue. Both Apple and Samsung are making their devices increasingly difficult to open. Where you used to get by with a standard screwdriver, today you need special tools. That makes repair more difficult and more expensive.

Second, parts availability. Although both manufacturers have made strides in recent years, it is still not always easy for consumers and independent repairers to obtain original parts.

Third – and this is a standout – is software support. In practice, both Apple and Samsung offer updates much longer than the legal minimum of five years. But in the official EU database (EPREL), they only mention that legal minimum. As a result, they score the lowest possible rating on this component. A missed opportunity, because in reality they are doing just fine in this area.

The new EU energy label for phones

Since June 2025, every new smartphone sold in the EU has a mandatory energy label. You may already know it from your washing machine or refrigerator, so now it’s there for phones and tablets as well.

On the label you’ll find at a glance: the energy rating (A to G) which indicates how economical the device is, the battery performance in normal use, the repairability score (A to E), and the resistance to drops, dust and water. A QR code on the label allows you to view even more details in the European EPREL database.

This label is a huge step forward for consumers. For the first time, when buying a new phone, you can see at a glance how repairable it is. That helps you make a more conscious choice and save money in the long run.

What does this mean for you as a consumer?

The message of the report is clear: there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to repairability. But as a consumer, you can be smart about your device yourself.

• When making your next purchase, look for the repairability score on the EU energy label. A higher score means repairs will be easier and cheaper in the future.
• Repair is almost always cheaper than buying a new phone. A screen repair or battery replacement gives your phone a second life.
• Choose a certified repair provider. At ThePhoneLab, we are Apple, Samsung and Google Independent Repair Provider. That means we use genuine parts and your repair comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Invest in a good case and screen protector. Prevention is still better than cure!

Unsure if repair is worth it for your device? Feel free to stop by a ThePhoneLab store. We’ll look at your phone for free and give you honest advice. No cure, no pay – so you only pay if we can fix the problem.

Frequently asked questions about repairability

Repair needed? ThePhoneLab is here for you!

Whether you have an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel or any other device: at ThePhoneLab, we repair it expertly. As an Independent Repair Provider for Apple, Samsung, Google and others, we use only genuine parts. With a 9.5 out of 10 rating, lifetime warranty and service within 30 minutes, you’re in good hands with us.

Make an appointment online immediately at a ThePhoneLab location of your choice, or stop by one of our 19 stores nationwide. We’re open every day!