The end of the short cycle of software updates for smartphones, at least within the European Union. According to a Nova Directive, which comes into force on June 20, software support for our phones will already have a minimum threshold of 5 years, which will include all new devices distributed in the Union framework.
The new ordinance covers both highest-class smartphones as well as devices designed for more unpretentious users. This means that every manufacturer will have to provide security updates for a minimum of 5 years, as well as an indefinite number of iOS and Android versions.
The change will have the greatest influence in the low and middle-class devices sector, where in most cases maintenance was limited to a maximum period of 2 years. This may force brands whose focus is on the budget segment, reduce their devices in the region.
Over the last 24 months, some of the biggest players in the sector such as Google and Samsung have confirmed their intentions to offer 7 years of support for their smartphones-a practice that Apple has been applying for a long time.
Outside the software side, the new legislation also covers the hardware part of all new EU phones that will be on the market after June 20.
According to him, the batteries should retain 80% of their capacity even after 800 charges, spare parts should be available for a minimum of 7 years, the respective parts should be delivered within 10 working days and the offered IP certification to cover a minimum of dust and moisture.
And while the changes sound really promising, they can also lead to unexpected negatives for users. The prices of new smartphones can be increased to justify longer maintenance, innovation in software development can be delayed, and budget options in European Union stores are greatly reduced. However, if large manufacturers want consumers to continue to replace their devices frequently, the future may not seem as cloudy.
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