invent_or_die t1_jdvsvdy wrote on March 27, 2023 at 3:49 PM

I wonder if this has something to do with Right To Repair. I read recently EU will be asking for a 10 year service life (i have no details). As a mechanical design engineer, I would love products to last 10 years and be serviceable. However, this will have huge effects on cost, device size, and more. Extra wall thicknesses, newly required connectors, little or no self adhesive gaskets or adhesives, additional seals for ingress protection due to modularity, and much more. I'm just being realistic, this is not opinion. I could easily see a company pulling out of the EU, or even the USA if all these demands are forced upon them.

Celousco t1_jdytjwk wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:32 AM

I don't see 10 years service life, however with the new law, consumers now have the right to ask companies to provide information and steps to repair their product, if it's cheaper than buying it again.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1794

But yep I don't mind these companies getting out of europe if it means less waste of materials.

invent_or_die t1_je05wqg wrote on March 28, 2023 at 1:51 PM

It's not going to mean less waste, they will only stop operations in the EU. They will still make phones for other countries. The additional costs and liability of having a 10 year life and repairability would need to be passed on to EU customers. Would they accept a more expensive, thicker device? Possibly less robust? I wish there were simple answers.

ItsASadBunny1 t1_je2pvg0 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 11:50 PM

You were just brainwashed to think devices can't last 10 years and that they need to be thick inoder to do it. Has been proven time and time again with so many products that easily last well over 10 years with little no compromise. 15-year old flat screen Sony TV still works and is using every day in my basement, 2010 macbook Pro, which I've since retired but also still works, with the only exception being the battery. All of our devices, like the S23U or 14 Pro Max, are built fundamentally the same as every other smartphone and tech gadget before it. The only concern is whether it makes cost sense to keep providing software updates beyond that hardware will easily last 10 years.

invent_or_die t1_je2y0wh wrote on March 29, 2023 at 12:50 AM

With all due respect, you are not a design engineer; you can't just talk about TVs and hand wave. You need to actually source the components and do the CAD layouts. Switches that can actually work for that long, new added wall thicknesses for the modules (for repairability and sealing) and so much more. No, not brainwashed lol, just experienced. I'd like the products to last a long time too. No, we aren't building in obsolescence. Choices are made for life, component availability, and customer demands. And yes, cost. You want a display that has decent performance 8-10 years from now? Might require retooling and making a new custom component. A new, expensive component. Will the graphics chips and others even last that long? Also, technology moves quickly and 10 year old phones might not even function with updated networks. There's a lot to consider.

ItsASadBunny1 t1_je2zwmy wrote on March 29, 2023 at 1:04 AM

Lol, I am an engineer. For budget phones, sure, anything over 400 should realistically last 10 years with, again, only the battery failing or software updates, not making economical sense to the companies. Building components and providing support for expensive hardware like the top iPhone or Galaxy should be child's play for these companies.

invent_or_die t1_je30wvd wrote on March 29, 2023 at 1:12 AM

Wow. It's so far from child's play. Don't hand wave. I've had huge challenges sourcing components that last long enough, you really need to do the diligence. Lead time studies, testing components rather than believe the manufacturers, etc. I've been with Samsung, LG, MS, and others. I wish it was that easy.