Smartphone Repairability Ratings Explained

The smartphone repairability rating is designed to answer a broader question than "can the battery be replaced?"

For covered smartphones and slate tablets, the official repairability framework produces a numeric index from 1.00 to 5.00, where a higher number is better, and converts that index into a class from A to E.

The index combines six areas: disassembly depth, fasteners, tools, the official Spare Parts score, software-update duration and repair-information availability. That makes it a useful structured comparison of how repair-friendly a product is designed and supported to be.

It is not a guarantee of the price a repair shop will charge, and it does not tell you whether a local technician has a particular spare part in stock today.

Model identifier	Repairability index	Repairability class	Replaceable battery	Battery endurance
OnePlus OnePlus Nord 6OnePlus Nord 6	5	A	No	24 h
Fairphone Fairphone 5 5G - Model: FP5 /e/OSFairphone 5 5G - Model: FP5 /e/OS	4.37	A	No	34 h 26 min
Gigaset GS6GS6	4.24	A	Yes	52 h 16 min
Gigaset GS6 PROGS6 PRO	4.24	A	Yes	52 h 16 min
Gigaset GS6 PRO-2GS6 PRO-2	4.24	A	Yes	55 h

Data source: EPREL · Last updated: Sep 7, 2026

Repairability index vs repairability class

FactRated shows both when available.

The index is the more precise value. The class is a simplified band.

For smartphones and slate tablets, the class thresholds are:

Repairability class	Repairability index
A	4.00 to 5.00
B	3.35 to less than 4.00
C	2.55 to less than 3.35
D	1.75 to less than 2.55
E	1.00 to less than 1.75

So two phones can both be class B while one has an index of 3.40 and the other 3.95.

If you want the most precise comparison, look at the numeric index first and use the letter class as a quick visual summary.

What goes into the repairability index?

The official index combines six scoring dimensions.

1. Disassembly depth — 25%

This is the largest single weighting.

It reflects how many disassembly steps are needed to reach important parts. A device that requires deeper, more complicated disassembly can be harder and slower to repair.

2. Fasteners — 15%

The type and handling of fasteners matter. Repair is generally easier when fasteners can be removed and reused or are otherwise designed to support reassembly.

3. Tools — 15%

A repair that can be carried out with basic or commonly available tools is different from one that depends on proprietary or specialized tooling.

4. Spare parts — 15%

Repairability is not only about opening the phone. A theoretically removable component is less useful if the necessary spare part is unavailable.

The framework therefore includes the scope of spare-parts availability as part of the index: the score reflects which priority parts are made available to end users and/or professional repairers under the defined framework.

5. Software updates — 15%

Long-term repairability includes software support. A physically repairable phone can still lose practical usefulness if security, corrective and functionality updates stop too early.

6. Repair information — 15%

Access to repair and maintenance information affects whether repairs can be performed efficiently and correctly.

Together, these dimensions make the index more informative than a single "easy to open" badge.

Why battery replaceability is not the same thing

FactRated also shows whether the product data identifies the battery as user-replaceable.

That is useful, but it is a separate field.

A phone can have a user-replaceable battery and still score less strongly on other repairability dimensions. Conversely, a phone whose battery is not classified as user-replaceable can still have a relatively strong overall repairability index because professional access, tools, fasteners, spare parts, software support and repair information are favorable.

When long ownership is the goal, check both fields.

See smartphones with user-replaceable batteries

Repairability does not equal repair cost

A high repairability index can make repair work more straightforward, but it does not fix the price of:

labor in your country;
replacement screens;
batteries;
camera modules;
shipping;
diagnostics;
taxes;
independent repair-shop markups.

Where the source provides links to spare-parts information, repair instructions or indicative pre-tax prices, FactRated can expose those links as supporting information.

The index should therefore be read as a design/support repairability measure, not a guaranteed invoice amount.

Repairability does not guarantee spare-part stock everywhere

The regulatory framework includes obligations around spare-part availability, but a consumer can still encounter regional or temporary availability differences.

FactRated should not convert a repairability class into claims such as "parts are always available in Poland" or "you can repair this phone anywhere."

Use the score to compare models, then check the linked supplier repair/spare-parts information for the specific product when a repair decision matters.

Why software support belongs in repairability

At first glance, software updates can seem unrelated to physical repair.

For long-term ownership, however, a device can be mechanically serviceable and still become difficult to use safely if software support ends. Including update duration recognizes that useful product lifetime depends on more than screws and adhesives.

That does not mean a high repairability score guarantees every new operating-system feature for many years. The software component refers to the defined availability of security, corrective and functionality updates under the applicable framework.

How FactRated ranks repairability

FactRated uses the numeric repairability index as the primary sort value because it preserves more information than the letter class.

We also show the official class so users can understand the band.

A repairability ranking does not include battery life, drop resistance, water protection or price in the rank. Those metrics remain visible as additional columns or filters.

This avoids hiding subjective weighting inside an "overall" repair score.

Explore ranking →

A practical repairability checklist

When comparing two phones, look at:

Repairability index and class — the broad structured measure.
Battery user-replaceability — whether battery replacement is designed for a lay user under the registered data.
Spare-parts links — if source data provides them.
Repair instructions — whether public/support information is linked.
Software-update duration — important for continued useful life.
Guarantee duration — a different concept, but relevant to ownership.
Your local repair market — not captured by the index itself.

Frequently asked questions

Is repairability class A better than class B?

Yes. Class A represents the highest repairability band in the official scale, followed by B, C, D and E.

Is a repairability index of 4.2 better than 3.8?

Yes. The numeric index runs from 1.00 to 5.00 and higher is better under the defined methodology.

Does a high repairability rating guarantee a cheap repair?

No. The rating evaluates repair-related design and support conditions. Local labor rates and actual spare-part prices can still differ.

Does a replaceable battery guarantee a high repairability class?

No. Battery replaceability is only one part of long-term serviceability. The official index combines six broader dimensions.

Why do software updates affect repairability?

Because useful product life depends partly on continued software support. A physically repairable device can still lose practical utility if security/corrective updates stop.

Related FactRated pages

Sources and methodology

The index structure, class thresholds and weighting framework are defined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669. FactRated displays normalized registered values and source-linked repair information where available; it does not inspect or repair the devices itself.

Data source: EPREL · Last updated: Sep 7, 2026