Autonomy of smartphones: Europe imposes 80 % capacity after 800 cycles, this summer

From June 2025, a new regulatory broom will shake the mobile sector. THE European Label Eprel, already known in household appliancesnow extends to smartphones and tablets. Objective: to impose more durable batteries, more repairable devices, and above all, to put an end to swollen autonomy on paper.

In 2030, these new rules will make it possible to achieve 20 billion euros in savings on acquisition costs in the EU, i.e. € 98 per household, mainly thanks to the extension of the lifespan of the devices.

Eprel arrives on smartphones: your batteries will have no secrets

Since 2017 already, EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labeling) Centralizes data on the energy efficiency of many household appliances. This register, managed by the European Commission, allows consumers to access reliable, harmonized, and comparable information.

In June 2025, this transparency requirement arrived in the mobile sector, with a double entry frame: on the one hand, energy labeling, supervised by EPREL, which will directly display on the device of indicators such as the energy efficiency class, endurance by cycle, the repairability index or the level of protection against water and dust.

On the other hand, the requirements of eco-design, which require manufacturers to meet specific technical criteria, even if these are not all on the visible label. For example, the regulation specifically prohibits the devices designed to alter their performance during tests. Similarly, it requires that the batteries keep 80 % of their capacity after 800 charging cycles. While some of these data feed the EPREL label, others are eco -design and are part of a broader logic: extending the lifespan of devices, guaranteeing their repairability, and reducing their global environmental impact.

Battery, repairability, robustness: what Europe will control from 2025

• Energy efficiency class (A to G) : based on electricity consumption in standby, load, and use mode.
• Cycle endurance : duration of autonomy measured on a standardized cycle (web navigation, video streaming, calls).
• Battery sustainability : The battery capacity must remain more than 80 % after 800 full load-discharge cycles.
• Fall resistance (Reliability class): repeated fall tests are imposed to guarantee robustness.
• Repairability : availability of spare parts within 5 to 10 working days and maintained for 7 years after the end of marketing.
• IP protection (water and dust): display of the level of protection against elements (IP67, IP68, etc.).
• Access to the firmware for repairers : obligation to provide the software tools necessary for professionals, guaranteeing non -discriminatory repairs.

These technical data, once validated, will be integrated into the EPREL label, but also accessible via a public database. Each device sold in the union must be registered in this centralized register, and the commission may verify the information at any time. THE Hybrid tablets or PC (with detachable keyboard, under Windows for example), flexible or rolling -screen devices, smartphones for highly secure use (for example for defense or governments) are exempt.

Behind this technical approach, it is a philosophy of sustainability that is essential: prolonging the life of devices, reducing planned obsolescence, and guaranteeing consumers reliable data. For manufacturers, this means reviewing certain industrial choices: investing in more robust batteries, facilitating access to repairs, and guaranteeing real transparency on performance.

The models launched after June 20, 2025 will therefore have to comply immediately with these requirements. On the other hand, the devices already marketed before this date are not affected by these new obligations.