What the EU Energy Label Means When Buying a New Smartphone or Tablet

If you are shopping for a new phone or tablet, the usual questions still matter: screen size, camera quality, storage, price and brand. But there is now another useful detail to check before you buy: the EU energy label for smartphones and tablets.

From 20 June 2025, smartphones and slate tablets placed on the EU market must carry clearer information on energy efficiency, battery endurance, durability and repairability. In plain terms, the label is designed to help shoppers understand how a device is likely to perform over time, not just how impressive it looks on day one.

For Irish households, that is genuinely useful. A phone or tablet is something most people use every day, charge regularly, carry around, drop occasionally and expect to last for years. Here is how to read the label, what it tells you, and how to use it when comparing devices at Euronics.ie.

Why phones and tablets now have an energy label

Energy labels are already familiar on household appliances such as washing machines, fridges and dishwashers. The newer phone and tablet label brings a similar idea to everyday technology, but with extra information that matters for portable devices.

The European Commission says the label includes details on energy efficiency, battery longevity, protection from dust and water, resistance to accidental drops and repairability. It is also the first EU energy label to include a repairability score for products placed on the EU market.

That matters because phones and tablets are not just judged by electricity use. A device that keeps its battery health for longer, survives everyday knocks and is easier to repair may offer better long-term value than one that only looks good on the spec sheet.

What the smartphone and tablet energy label shows

The label is built to make comparison easier. When you see one in-store or online, look for these main areas:

• Energy efficiency class: rated from A to G, helping you compare how efficiently the device uses energy.
• Battery endurance per charge: shown in hours and minutes, based on a standardised test.
• Battery endurance in cycles: the number of charge cycles the battery can withstand before its usable capacity drops to 80% of its original level.
• Repeated free fall reliability: a durability class showing how well the device performs in standardised drop testing.
• Repairability class: rated from A to E, with A being the easiest to repair.
• Ingress Protection rating: the familiar IP rating for dust and water resistance.
• QR code: links to the model’s details in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling.

Battery life: look beyond the headline claim

Battery life is one of the biggest everyday frustrations with phones and tablets. The label helps by showing battery endurance per cycle, which means how long the device should last from a full charge before it needs to be charged again, based on a standardised test.

This is useful because brand battery claims are not always easy to compare. One manufacturer might talk about video playback, another might mention mixed use, and another might focus on standby time. The EU label gives shoppers a more consistent comparison point.

If you use your phone heavily for maps, video, messaging, work apps or social media, this figure is worth checking. A longer battery endurance rating can mean fewer top-ups during the day and less need to carry a charger or power bank.

If battery life is your main priority, start with the models in the smartphones range, then compare battery information alongside screen size, operating system and price.

Battery cycles: a better clue for long-term value

The label also shows battery endurance in cycles. This tells you how many full charge and discharge cycles the battery should manage before its usable capacity falls to 80% of what it was when new.

That is important because a phone can feel excellent in the first few months and still become frustrating later if the battery ages quickly. A stronger battery cycle figure may help a device stay useful for longer, especially for people who keep their phone for several years instead of upgrading every year.

For families buying phones for teenagers, college students or older relatives, this can be a good value check. The cheapest phone is not always the best buy if it needs replacing sooner.

Repairability: what the new score means

Repairability is one of the most interesting parts of the label. The European Commission describes the repairability class as being based on a repairability index, rated from A to E. The better the class, the easier the device should be to repair under the scoring method.

SEAI guidance for manufacturers and importers also points to wider repair-related requirements, including availability of certain spare parts and access to repair and maintenance information for professional repairers.

For shoppers, the takeaway is simple: repairability can be part of the buying decision. If two phones are similar on price, performance and camera quality, the one with the stronger repairability class may be the better long-term choice.

Durability: useful if your phone has a hard life

The label includes a repeated free fall reliability class. This is based on standardised testing for how well a phone or tablet withstands accidental drops without loss of function.

This does not mean a device is impossible to damage. A case and screen protector are still sensible, especially for children, students, tradespeople or anyone using a phone on the move. But it does give you another way to compare durability before you buy.

The IP rating is also useful. It tells you how well the device is protected against dust and water. For example, a higher water-resistance rating may matter if the phone is often used outdoors, in the kitchen, while travelling or around children.

How to use the label when comparing phones

The label is not meant to replace normal buying checks. Instead, it gives you a better way to compare the practical side of ownership.

Before buying, ask yourself:

• Do I need a phone that comfortably lasts a full day?
• Am I likely to keep this device for three years or more?
• Will it be used by a child, student or someone who is likely to drop it?
• Is repairability important to me if something goes wrong?
• Do I need good dust or water resistance?
• Am I comparing like with like, or just choosing based on storage and camera specs?

For Apple shoppers, the Apple smartphones collection is a good place to compare iPhone options. For Android buyers, Euronics.ie also carries brands such as Samsung, Honor, Nokia and more across the wider smartphone selection.

What about tablets?

The rules also apply to slate tablets placed on the EU market. That makes the label helpful for anyone buying a tablet for school, college, work, streaming, travel or family use.

For tablets, battery endurance can be especially important. A tablet used for video, homework or travel needs to last comfortably between charges. Durability and repairability also matter if the device will be shared around the home or used by children.

If you are comparing tablets, check Euronics.ie’s computing section for tablets, including iPads and Android tablets, then use the label details to compare everyday practicality.

The bottom line

The EU energy label makes phone and tablet shopping more transparent. It gives you a clearer view of battery life, battery ageing, durability, repairability and protection against dust and water.

That does not mean there is one perfect device for everyone. A photography fan may prioritise camera quality. A student may care most about price and battery. A parent may value durability. A business user may focus on storage, screen size and operating system.

The useful thing is that the label adds another layer of confidence. When you are comparing devices at Euronics.ie, use it alongside the usual specifications to choose a phone or tablet that fits the way you actually live.

Browse the latest smartphones at Euronics.ie, compare key features, and visit your local Euronics store if you would like practical advice before choosing.