Smartphone makers may have to start offering three years of major Android updates and five years of security patches in the European Union, according to the new draft regulation. The proposed changes, along with extended software support, could extend the life span of smartphones and other devices to 5 years, which is said to be equivalent to removing 5 million cars from the roads. The European Commission has already closed the feedback window for member states. and is currently accepting feedback from the public as of September 28.
according to a report good Citing a draft regulation by 9to5Google draft regulationsThe European Commission has proposed a number of measures aimed at Android smartphone makers with the goal of reducing e-waste. According to the report, the commission has proposed that smartphone brands and manufacturers start providing three years of major updates or Android version updates and five years of Android security patches in the European Union and its member countries.
The move is expected to increase the handset’s lifespan to five years, which is equivalent to removing 5 million cars from the roads as per the draft regulation. As per the report, the proposed update schedule remains the same offered by google For your Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones. The commission has also proposed that companies should also provide at least 5 years of repair and after-sales services.
The European Commission has also proposed that the EU should require all smartphone brands to install batteries that can retain at least 83 percent of their rated capacity after 500 charge cycles and 80 percent after 1,000 cycles.
For now, only Apple claims That iPhone model battery can retain up to 80 percent of its rated capacity after 500 charge cycles. The commission is currently accepting feedback from the public by September 28, and aims to have the new rules in place by 2024.
In June, the European Union reportedly finalized a deal that forces all smartphone brands to adopt USB Type-C ports. Apple is tipped to start shipping iPhone models in the EU with a USB Type-C port instead of its proprietary Lightning connector in 2024.
