Nokia Launches 'Repairable' Smartphone
Nokia has launched an Android phone specifically designed to be repairable by the user. The G22 handset was made in cooperation with spare parts and repair site iFixit.
Being unable to easily repair a handset (or even to get a third party expert to do it) has been one of the biggest frustrations for many phone owners. It often means having to replace an entire handset because a single component has failed, causing both financial and environmental damage.
While some manufacturers have made phones with easily replaceable components, they tend to be less well-known brands and carry a premium price.
The iFixit site tries to overcome this by selling spare parts and repair tools as well as providing guides for how to fix or replace components. It's fair to say different manufacturers have different attitudes to such services, with some deterring users by warning self-repairs will invalidate warranties.
Replaceable Display
Nokia says replaceable components on the G22 will include the display screen, the back cover, the battery and the charging port. It says users can either follow the iFixit guides or get an authorized service center to carry out the fix.
As well as the components, iFixit is selling a repair kit with tools including tweezers designed to avoid electrostatic charges, a magnetized screwdriver, tools for opening the handset and levering out components, and a suction handle for removing the screen. (Source: ifixit.com)
Perhaps surprisingly, the G22 is something of a budget device, costing the equivalent of US $180. It runs Android 12 (rather than the latest Android 13) and doesn't support 5G networks.
Available On Subscription Model
It appears the handset will initially be available in Europe and Australia, with the makers citing research that shows Western European phone users were particularly interested in repairing rather than replacing handsets wherever possible. (Source: independent.co.uk)
The handset will also be part of a Nokia program called "Circular" where users can pay a fixed monthly subscription price rather than buy a phone outright, with free replacements if the handset is damaged, stolen or lost. When users cancel their subscription (or change to another model) they return the handset and it will either be reused or recycled following secure data deletion.
What's Your Opinion?
Would you be more likely to buy a handset that was easily repairable? Would having such a phone for a major brand make a difference? Are you surprised this is being offered in a budget handset rather than a high-end model?
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Comments
3 years of updates
The only major issue here is the 3-year update cycle. This could be resolved if the entire phone's operating system was wiped and critical data re-imported (phone contacts), with no guarantees of porting applications assuming the hardware is acceptable. I supposed this could be negated if you trade in the phone on a subscription basis - that is, if you don't mind paying for your phone forever.
It seems like a good idea except...
"It runs Android 12 (rather than the latest Android 13) and doesn't support 5G networks"
Why would you start out with an obsolete phone?
and not include a flip phone with real buttons?
It's a start in the right direction
As countries continue to legislate more manufacturers will implement repairable technology, it shouldn't take laws and fines to force this to happen.
Apple still disable their technology if you repair them yourself or have a third party do it for you even though YOU own it. Apple bricked my 8yo Ipad because I had the charging chip replaced. Still works but will not activate.....
I hope to see more of this, wastage needs to be reduced and recycling/repairing increased.
Great!
I'd prefer to own the phone, not subscribe to it, which is pretty much renting it. Nope to that.
I have no issue with the OS being a version behind. That is very far from obsolescence.
In fact I believe we need to rethink our entire approach to the notion of obsolescence. There aren't just two states; up-to-date and obsolete; it's a continuum from up-to-date back through various levels of diminishing functionality, ultimately to obsolescence.
'Functionality' is determined in large part by what OSs app developers are supporting. Support for older OSs should be encouraged to be as inclusive of older version as possible. Quite old versions of an OS are perfectly useful to people!
The phone industry is out of control. It's a market like any other that is driven by the age-old weakest parts of our human characters: our desire for status and our greed. OK, so we've tolerated that. The planet can't, any more. And in the interests of equity, too, this whole destructive proprietary exclusivity and built-in obsolescence via non-repairability waste debacle needs to be curbed. Stringently, by governments!