The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund recently released its 'Failing the Fix 2026' report, which evaluates the ease of repairing mainstream electronic devices. The analysis reveals that Apple scored a C- for laptop repairability and a D- for smartphones, placing the company at the bottom of the rankings.
The assessment evaluated the latest laptop and smartphone models sold in the French market as of January this year, measuring factors such as disassembly difficulty, the accessibility of repair documentation, and the cost of spare parts. Researchers utilized France’s repairability index standards while adjusting the scoring weights to reflect consumer demand for device accessibility.
Industry Association Membership Impacts Scores
Beyond the physical challenges of hardware design, PIRG introduced a non-technical penalty mechanism. The report notes that companies belonging to industry groups that oppose 'Right to Repair' legislation—such as TechNet or the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)—received a 0.5-point deduction from their overall score.
Nathan Proctor, senior director of PIRG’s Right to Repair campaign, explained to the media: 'While joining these associations does not directly equate to a company publicly opposing repair rights, the organizations these companies fund are actively lobbying to obstruct related legislation, so it must be taken into account.'
In this assessment, nearly every laptop and smartphone manufacturer surveyed, with the exception of Acer and Motorola, was penalized for their industry association memberships. Conversely, companies that provided supportive testimony for Right to Repair legislation over the past year were awarded a 0.25-point bonus.
The organization argues that manufacturers should adopt France’s current repairability standards on a global scale. By increasing transparency in device repair, companies can not only extend the lifespan of their electronics but also reduce maintenance costs for consumers. Currently, the report highlights Apple and Lenovo as the primary targets for industry improvement regarding physical disassembly and information disclosure.
