From January 1, 2025, a new ecological bonus-malus system will be applied to smartphones. Easily repairable devices will benefit from a bonus, while those difficult to repair will suffer a penalty. This new ecological tax aims to reduce electronic waste.
A new French tax for smartphones
From January 1, 2025, a new ecological bonus-malus system will be applied to smartphones in France. This system aims to encourage consumers to choose more durable and repairable devices. Smartphones that are difficult to repair will receive a penalty of €20, while the most repairable models will benefit from a bonus of €40. The initiative is part of a broader government effort to promote the circular economy and reduce electronic waste.
This system is part of the desire to make electronic products more environmentally friendly by increasing their lifespan. By promoting repairable smartphones, the objective is to reduce the quantity of electronic waste and reduce the environmental impact of their production and elimination. The government also hopes that this measure will encourage manufacturers to design products that are easier to repair.
However, despite these laudable intentions, some believe that this measure is insufficient. They argue that the amount of the penalty and the bonus is not enough of an incentive to bring about a significant change in the behavior of consumers and manufacturers. Others believe that stricter measures and greater financial incentives would be necessary to achieve the desired environmental goals.
An idea doomed to failure?
As is often the case, France wants to do well, but without being too restrictive. The main problem with this approach is that it may not make much difference to the current system. Worse still, it could generate colossal additional costs for minimal effect. By opting for a soft approach, this new measure risks ending up in the “good idea finally abandoned” category, due to lack of drastic and assertive measures.
What about Apple?
In France, the repairability index of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 reflects Apple’s efforts to improve the maintenance of its devices. The iPhone 15 scored 7.7 out of 10, marking an improvement over previous models. This improvement is attributed to a design for easier access to internal components and better availability of spare parts.
The iPhone 16 goes even further, with a higher score of 8 out of 10. This progression is due to innovations such as a new battery design using an electrosensitive adhesive, simplifying its replacement, and an internal architecture allowing easy access. easier to components. Additionally, the Repair Assistant built into iOS 18 makes it easier to calibrate spare parts, thereby enhancing the repairability of the device.
