Germany pushes for 7 years of security updates, spare parts support for phones

Germany is pushing the European Union to pass a mandate requiring at least seven years of software support from smartphone makers for their devices. The proposal is meant to help the environment, as well as consumers, by keeping their smartphones relevant for longer life.

Smartphones are featuring a better quality of components with every launch. The only limitation to their long life then is periodic software upgrades. If OEMs continue to roll these out for older models, the devices will stay relevant even as the years go by. Of course, they might miss out on some new-age features due to the absence of the hardware required. But for all the basic workings, and for what the consumer had bought the smartphone in the first place, the devices should be good enough to use. Germany is trying to make this a compulsion for smartphone makers. The German federal government is pushing for a mandate that will require OEMs to provide seven years of security updates and spare parts for smartphones. If the mandate is passed, consumers in the region will be able to use their smartphones for longer than ever before.