'You can literally fix anything if you watch enough YouTube': I met with tech repair experts and campaigners to learn how to fix my broken gadgets — and why it's so important

The importance of fixing broken gadgets has gained significant attention in recent years. According to a European Union report, a majority of people keep their old smartphones, laptops, and tablets despite them being no longer in use. Refurbishing and reselling sites such as Back Market and Refurbed have become popular alternatives to recycling or disposing of broken gadgets. However, a substantial number of these gadgets are thrown away or sent to landfill, which is a waste of valuable resources.

Tech repairability is no longer a novel concept, but the debate surrounding it has gained traction lately, under the term 'right to repair'. The EU's 'Directive on repair of goods' aims to make gadgets more repairable, with manufacturers obliged to provide spare parts at reasonable prices and easily removable parts. This shift in the industry will also require phone makers to fit easily removable batteries and provide repair tools.

Fairphone, a Dutch brand, has been at the forefront of this movement for over a decade. Their products are designed to be modular, allowing easy replacement of components such as screens, batteries, and cameras. The company argues that making their phones repairable does not affect their performance or style, but it does impact the cost slightly due to the use of connectors, seams, and screws instead of glue and epoxy.

A key area where repairability can be improved is waterproofing. Miquel Ballester, Fairphone's Head of Product, argues that an IP68 rating, which guarantees protection against submersion in water, forces manufacturers to use permanent seals and factory-glued seams. Instead, Fairphone advocates for a lower IP55 rating, which is sufficient for everyday use such as rain, spilled coffee, or gym sweat.

By focusing on a more practical waterproof rating, Fairphone aims to create gadgets that can be repaired and used for several years, rather than being discarded after a single use.