Planned obsolescence has been going on for quite some time. However, it is usually possible to repair your everyday appliances (household appliances, etc.). In the case of the smartphone, it is very tempting to buy one after a breakdown or breakage. However, there may be better things to do.
Repair instead of buy
Your smartphone is broken, the screen is cracked and you can no longer turn on the device? In 2015, Que Choisir magazine published a survey on the types of smartphone failures. The most common (69% of cases) involves the screen, which is part of the device most exposed to falls and other shocks. The second most common failure has to do with the battery, which wears out over time. In such cases, many people panic and rush to buy another laptop. However, there are several ways to prevent this and thus end up leaving the broken smartphone in a drawer.
The first thing to do is to check the warranty. In France it is mandatory for two years for any electronic device. In addition, since 1 July 2021, this duration must be stated on the receipt. This way you could benefit from a free repair if the breakdown comes from the device. If necessary, repair remains possible in most cases. This is a ecological act can also save money when buying a new device.
Recall in passing that for a long time the manufacturers were not very docile. Today, two extremes face each other: FairPhone and its easily removable smartphone and Apple, whose iPhone is known to be difficult to repair. Unlike, everything seems to depend on the models and this also applies to other brands such as LG, Nokia or Samsung. In addition, since January 1, 2021, there is a recoverability index ranging from 1 to 10.
Repairing a smartphone yourself is not impossible
To avoid a repair by a specialist, it is best to: engage in hostilities. For example, the battery is easy to replace if there is a tailgate, but much less so if there isn’t. However, nothing is really impossible, even for other parts such as the screen, the speaker or the buttons if they are not welded. On the other hand, the other types of problems offer little choice but: trust a professional. This can be the case, for example, if it is necessary to perform a micro-weld in the event of a failure of a charging connector.
On the Internet, many sites offer quite well-done tutorials in English or French. So there is content in quantity that allows you to repair your smartphone yourself with some patience. Here are some examples of platforms: iFixit, SOSAV or Brico-Phone, each of which offers spare parts for sale. If you don’t have the time, desire or patience, you should know that it is always better to entrust your device to a professional rather than buying a new one.
