Is it worth repairing electronics? A guide for the informed consumer

We live in an era where electronics have become as obvious a part of everyday life as the radio or washing machine once were. A smartphone is with us from morning till night, a laptop is both a work tool and a source of entertainment, and smart home devices make daily chores easier and less time-consuming. Each of these gadgets is still a technical device, which means that sooner or later a fault may appear – minor or serious. Then the question arises: is it worth repairing, or is it better to buy something new? A decade ago the answer seemed simple. Replacing a phone battery took a few minutes, just like adding RAM to a laptop or installing a new drive in a desktop PC. Today devices are more complex, slimmer and harder to service, so the decision is no longer so obvious. On top of that comes the global “right to repair” trend, which in many countries is becoming a standard and obliges manufacturers to provide access to spare parts for years after a product’s launch. So this topic is not just about technology or money – it’s also about our culture of consumption and our attitude towards environmental responsibility.

Economy, ecology and emotions – three reasons to repair

Repairing electronics brings, first of all, clear financial benefits. Replacing a phone battery costs only a fraction of what you’d pay for a new model. A screen repair can be expensive, but it is still cheaper than buying a flagship smartphone, and changing a charging port or buttons is often a symbolic expense. In laptops and computers, even a small investment can dramatically improve comfort – swapping an HDD for an SSD can make a device from a few years ago run faster than a brand-new budget PC from a supermarket.

The second reason is ecology. UN reports clearly show that more than 50 million tons of e-waste are generated every year, and less than 20% of it is recycled. That means a huge number of discarded phones, TVs and headphones end up in landfills. By repairing, we extend the life of devices and genuinely help reduce this problem. It’s worth remembering that every choice we make in this area has a real impact on the environment.

The third aspect is emotions and habits. A smartphone that we carry in our pocket for three or four years accumulates photos, memories, apps and settings tailored to us. Even if a fault appears, it is often much more comfortable to repair it than to start from scratch with a new model. The same goes for other devices – a smartwatch that monitors our sleep and workouts, or a robot vacuum that quietly takes care of our floors every day.

When a repair makes sense – and when it doesn’t

Not every fault means a device has to be replaced. Very often a small intervention is enough to bring it back to full working order. Typical examples include replacing a worn-out battery, fixing a damaged screen or swapping a faulty charging port. For laptops, adding more RAM or installing a faster drive is usually highly cost-effective. Thanks to this, a device that’s a few years old can feel almost brand new again. It’s also worth remembering that premium hardware is particularly worth repairing – its quality and performance mean that even after several years a higher-end phone or tablet is still better than a new budget model, so investing in service is often a smart move.

There are, however, situations where repair simply doesn’t pay off. If a device no longer receives system updates, using it becomes risky, and replacing the screen or battery will only extend its life for a short while. The same applies when the cost of repair exceeds half the price of a new device – in that case, from an economic standpoint it’s more reasonable to buy a new model. This often happens with budget smartphones or TVs. For large household appliances, energy efficiency is another key factor – a modern fridge or washing machine can use dozens of percent less electricity and water than a ten-year-old model, so even if the older appliance works again after repair, it may turn out to be more expensive to run in everyday use.

Repair or replace? – a quick cheat sheet

Xiaomi – an example of a brand whose products last for years

One brand that stands out on the market is Xiaomi, which designs devices to be durable and user-friendly. The brand’s smartphones – especially the Redmi Note line, the flagship 13 and 14 series and the latest Redmi 15 – can easily serve you for four or five years. Users often say that after such a time the only thing they really need is a new battery – everything else still works flawlessly. The smart home ecosystem is similar. Xiaomi robot vacuums are devices that run every day, for years, without major failures, and all the user has to do is replace brushes and filters. Air purifiers that process hundreds of cubic metres of air each month also require nothing more than regular filter changes. This reflects Xiaomi’s philosophy – to create devices that work reliably until the end of their life cycle and don’t require frequent, costly repairs.

The same pattern applies to watches and bands. Xiaomi Smart Band and Xiaomi Watch S3 are great examples of products that rarely end up in service centres. Their simple, well-thought-out construction means that most issues come down to replacing the strap or charger – parts that can be swapped at home in a matter of moments.

Service, DIY repairs and the future of electronics

If you decide to repair a device, choosing the right place matters. Authorised service centres offer the assurance of original parts and a warranty on the work, although their prices can be higher. Independent repair shops are often cheaper, but it’s worth checking that they provide a guarantee and use good-quality components. In Poland, Xiaomi users have access to a well-developed service network, which gives an extra sense of security.

Still, not everything requires a visit to a specialist. Many tasks can be done yourself – replacing the filter in an air purifier, the brush in a robot vacuum or the strap on a fitness band. Xiaomi designs its devices to allow basic maintenance without specialist tools. That’s why the equipment lasts so long and remains inexpensive to run.

Looking ahead, more and more is said about designing electronics to be modular and easier to service. The European Union is working on regulations that will force manufacturers to keep spare parts available for many years after launch. This direction fits perfectly with environmental concerns and more conscious consumer choices. Xiaomi is already following this philosophy – offering products that rarely need repair and, if they do, it’s usually something simple that most users can handle on their own.

With the right knowledge, you buy smarter and use longer

The choice between repairing and replacing electronics is never completely straightforward. Repair makes sense when the device is relatively new, the cost of service doesn’t exceed half the value of a new model and the hardware still meets your needs. In contrast, for older devices with no software support, it is usually more sensible to buy something new – especially when the latest technology means lower bills and higher security.

Against this backdrop, Xiaomi is a great example of a manufacturer that creates durable devices which rarely need repairs, and when they do, the fixes are simple and affordable. Smartphones, watches and Xiaomi smart home devices show that electronics can be both modern and robust. It proves that as consumers we can choose solutions that are financially sensible, convenient to use and responsible towards the environment all at the same time.