Following the news on 11 April 2024 that Apple will support repairs with used Apple parts that will not compromise users’ safety, security or privacy;

Anisha Bhatia, Senior Technology Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view:

“Apple’s enhancement of its repair process to utilize used Apple parts is a win for the Right to Repair movement, while still allowing the tech giant to maintain control over repair revenues. Apple is simplifying its repair process for both customers and service providers by doing away with its cumbersome parts pairing feature, for iPhone 15 series and newer phones. This will eliminate the need to provide a device’s serial number when ordering parts, making iPhone repair less bothersome which in turn will increase circular economy income for the tech giant.

“OEMs have come under pressure by governments as the Right to Repair movement has gained tremendous momentum in the EU and the US. The EU passed its own ‘Right to Repair’ law in February 2024, and various repair bills have passed in four US states, with more right- to- repair bills being debated in legislatures across 28 other US states. Sustainability is a hot button topic right now, and sustainable devices with increased longevity potential are likely to generate brand loyalty for both telcos and OEMs that offer it as a differentiator.”