A new way to save hundreds of euros after buying a smartphone, you have to pay attention to a few details
Choosing a new smartphone is always a complicated process. There are many factors to consider, some of which you may not even realize. While your initial budget is usually the priority when purchasing, it's also worth considering other important factors like power consumption, battery life, overall performance, and durability.
The statistics prove it: consumers are keeping their smartphones longer and longer. According to Arcep's digital barometer published in March 2025, the average person keeps their current smartphone for a little over three years. This figure has been steadily rising in recent years, with declining purchasing power and the lack of major innovation between each model...
The European Commission has therefore decided to implement a new and very practical tool. Its form: a small, mandatory label that can provide you with information when choosing your new phone and save you precious euros.
The energy label, already present on many household appliances, has now made its appearance on smartphones and tablets, as it has been mandatory for these devices since June 20. Its objective : to give consumers more information on their lifespan.
Every manufacturer and/or store is now required to display this label or provide, at a minimum, a QR Code allowing access to it. It will contain 7 points, including the device's energy efficiency class (from A to E), its battery life per full charge, its resistance to falls, its dust and liquid protection rating and its degree of repairability.
This new label comes with other requirements for manufacturers. Smartphones and tablets coming to the EU will now have to withstand at least 800 recharge cycles while maintaining a battery capacity of at least 80%. Their spare parts must also be available for at least seven years after their initial release date. The battery must be replaceable by a "non-specialist" and updates must be guaranteed for at least five years.
When you're looking for a new phone or tablet, it's highly recommended to take a look at this new energy label. It provides information that can save you hundreds of dollars over time. Keeping your phone for an extra year can be invaluable, especially considering that the average price of a good smartphone is around €450, according to UFC-Que Choisir, and (well) exceeds €1,000 for the best models. Choosing a smartphone with a poor rating could, conversely, weigh heavily on your budget in the future. You've been warned.
L'Internaute
