Nokia G22: Huge step in repairable smartphones

By: Rohit Yadav

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Updated on: 02-Mar-2023

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The Nokia G22 is the first smartphone that users can easily repair at home without going to a technician. HMD Global claims that the phone's battery can be replaced in just five minutes, and its screen in roughly 20 minutes. To achieve a more repairable design, the company had to significantly modify the phone's structure. Heating is no longer necessary to remove the back cover, and users no longer need alcohol wipes or gel to take out the battery.

HMD Global is collaborating with repair specialists iFixit to provide users with the necessary replacement parts, tools, and guides. All that users need are a guitar pick and a screwdriver. Ferguson hopes that the initiative will make smartphone repairs uncomplicated and affordable, eventually driving down the cost of repairing a smartphone.

The Nokia G22 is an affordable smartphone with a recyclable plastic back and an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance. It is powered by a Unisoc T606 processor and is widely available to consumers. However, the repairability of other devices will depend on the type of device and its age. Ferguson says that bringing easy reparability to high-end smartphones is more complicated due to less repairable design.

Smartphone companies are under increasing pressure to make their devices last longer, and to make them easier to repair and reuse in the face of pressure from regulators to make electronic devices more sustainable. The European Commission (EU) is pushing for the recycling of electronic goods, which are difficult to repair, replace batteries, or upgrade. The "right to repair" movement is also gaining momentum in the US, with many states considering legislation to force manufacturers to make parts and tools available to third parties, including individuals.

For Ferguson, the longevity of a smartphone is what consumers want, with many holding on to their devices for up to four years in some parts of Europe. HMD Global believes that reparability is the next logical step for a sustainable future, which is also a major theme at the Mobile World Congress. The company is not waiting for other manufacturers to make easy-to-repair phones, as their users are telling them that they want it now.