So, is this announcement good or bad news for consumers when it comes to repairs? Is the multinational Apple pro-repair?
Promising announcements on paper
As previously highlighted by HOP, the ‘serialization’ of smartphones involves linking a device to its components via serial numbers and software locks. According to HOP, this practice can enable the manufacturer to limit the possibilities or the appeal of repairing an iPhone, particularly by so-called independent or unauthorised repairers, or of purchasing a refurbished iPhone. In 2020, following a complaint lodged by HOP, the group was ordered to pay a fine of 25 million euros to the The Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), under the French Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance for misleading commercial practices by omission following faulty software updates.
In 2022, HOP lodged a new complaint against the group, this time regarding “serialization”, which HOP believes could constitute a misleading commercial practice or planned obsolescence latu senso.
According to HOP, these criticised practices benefit Apple, which keeps consumers locked into its ecosystem.
John Ternus, vice-president of the Apple brand, announced on 11 April that he wanted to “make it easier for service providers to repair iPhones” from the iPhone 15 onwards. This means that Apple smartphones could be repaired using second-hand components sourced, in particular, from the company’s own recycling programme.
Is this really a revolution?
Firstly, it is cause for celebration that the actions of HOP and others — such as legislation promoting repair and refurbishment in France or in the US states of Oregon and Colorado — are pushing the tech giant to take a stand in favour of improved repairability and durability of its devices, at least in terms of the principles it espouses.
The company admits, incidentally, that there were certain difficulties with its previous model.
Does this address the issue of “serialisation” highlighted in the latest complaint filed by HOP in December 2022?
That is another question.
Is there a worm in the apple?
Assuming that ‘independent’ refers to repairers outside Apple’s commercial network (and not simply to the Independent Repair Programme for Apple-authorised repairers), this is, on the face of it, good news for all repairers. This is indeed the case, as they will now not only be able to source parts from Apple (assuming they are accessible in terms of availability and cost) but also use parts from other iPhones to swap components between devices or take them from others.
This represents the most favourable scenario envisaged following the tech giant’s announcements: the lifting of Apple’s software lock and its commitment to accessible and open repairs.
As Apple has historically been known for favouring closed systems (even going so far as to crush fully functional iPhones), caution is advised whilst we await the practical implementation of these announcements.
Moreover, the scenario would be far more satisfactory if it applied to the nearly 1.3 billion iPhones already in circulation (in addition to the 53 to 113 million devices stored in French people’s drawers in 2019). HOP therefore regrets that the policy only applies to iPhones sold from September 2024 onwards, and urges Apple to broaden its scope.
HOP also regrets that Apple still does not allow the use of parts from third-party manufacturers.
The devil hides the detail, and HOP highlights these details in the hope that, beyond mere publicity stunts, we will make decisive and collective progress towards models that are more beneficial for the environment and consumers.
