Right to Repair: 2026 Brand Report Card
We evaluated 12 major tech brands on repairability in 2026. Framework leads with an A-plus, Dell earns a B-plus, Apple gets a B-minus, and Samsung surprises with a B. Here is the full report card.
The concept of "Right to Repair" has evolved from a fringe activist cause into one of the most consequential debates in consumer electronics. What began as a struggle over whether you could fix your own tractor has transformed into a full-fledged movement that is reshaping how major technology companies design, manufacture, and support their products. In 2026, the chasm between the most repairable devices and the most locked-down ones has never been wider, and the consumer implications have never been more significant.
If you have ever been quoted $400 to replace a cracked laptop screen when the machine itself only cost $800, you have already felt the weight of this issue in your wallet. If you have ever opened a device only to find glued batteries, proprietary screws, and components soldered directly to the motherboard with no path forward for replacement, you have experienced the frustration that millions of consumers face every single day. The Right to Repair movement exists because these experiences have become the norm rather than the exception, and in 2026, the brands that have listened versus those that have doubled down on anti-repair tactics are finally revealing their true colors.
This is our comprehensive 2026 Brand Report Card on Right to Repair. We evaluated twelve major consumer electronics brands across eight distinct repairability criteria, cross-referenced real-world repair costs, parts availability, and the actual experience of independent repair technicians. The results are sobering for some familiar names and genuinely impressive for a few dark horses. Whether you are buying a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, or a smart home device this year, this report will tell you which brands actually respect your ownership after the sale.
WHY RIGHT TO REPAIR MATTERS IN 2026
The economic argument for repairability has never been stronger. The average selling price of a flagship smartphone in the United States crossed $1,200 in 2025, and laptop prices have followed a similar trajectory upward. When a device that costs more than a monthly rent becomes unrepairable after two years of use, the environmental and financial consequences cascade through every level of the economy. The EPA estimates that only about 20% of electronic waste is recycled properly, with the remainder ending up in landfills where toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium leach into soil and groundwater. The devices that fill those landfills are frequently functional devices that were discarded simply because a single component failed and no affordable repair path existed.
Independent repair shops are the backbone of the repair economy, and their survival depends directly on whether manufacturers provide them with the tools, parts, and documentation they need to do their jobs. iFixit, the self-described "repair advocate for the world," has been grading devices on repairability for over fifteen years, and their teardown scores have become the de facto standard for measuring how manufacturers think about ownership. But beyond the teardown scores, there is a lived reality that independent repair technicians encounter every day when they try to fix the latest devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, and the other brands that dominate our pockets and workspaces.
The regulatory landscape has shifted dramatically as well. The European Union's Ecodesign Regulation now mandates that manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and appliances provide repair parts and support for a minimum of five to ten years after the last unit is sold. The United States has followed a patchwork of state-level legislation, with Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado leading the charge, though a federal Right to Repair law for electronics remains elusive as of mid-2026. These regulatory pressures have pushed some brands toward genuine repairability improvements while others have chosen the path of minimum compliance. The difference between the two approaches is stark, and it is exactly what we are here to document.
THE SCORING METHODOLOGY
Before diving into individual brand grades, it is important to understand exactly how we arrived at our conclusions. Our evaluation framework draws from multiple real-world data points to create the most accurate picture of consumer repairability experience possible. We are not relying solely on teardown aesthetics or marketing claims. We are evaluating what actually happens when something breaks.
Our scoring criteria span eight dimensions, each carrying equal weight in the final grade. Parts availability measures whether genuine OEM replacement components can be purchased by consumers and independent shops without proprietary authorization requirements. Documentation quality assesses whether service manuals, schematics, and diagnostic procedures are publicly available. Tool requirements examine whether standard tools can perform repairs or whether proprietary bit sets, laser weld equipment, or manufacturer-only jigs are required. Battery replaceability tracks whether the most frequently replaced component can be swapped without soldering or adhesive destruction. Screen repair difficulty evaluates the cost and complexity of display replacement, one of the most common failure modes. Component modularity measures whether individual components like cameras, ports, and speakers can be replaced independently or are hard-wired into the main logic board. Software support duration captures how long the manufacturer continues to provide security updates, which directly impacts device longevity. Finally, independent repair access considers whether the brand participates in independent repair certification programs, participates in Right to Repair advocacy, or actively lobbies against repair-friendly legislation.
Each brand starts at 100 points and loses ground based on documented deficiencies in these eight areas. The final letter grades map to the following point ranges: A represents 85 to 100, B represents 70 to 84, C represents 55 to 69, D represents 40 to 54, and F represents anything below 40. These grades reflect our assessment of each brand across their full consumer electronics portfolio, not just a single product line, which means brands with diverse product ranges are evaluated on their weakest and strongest categories equally.
APPLE: A STUDY IN CALCULATED ACCESS
Apple occupies the most complicated position in our Right to Repair grades, and no brand rewards deep analysis more than the company that makes the devices millions of people use every single day. On one hand, Apple has made significant structural improvements to repairability over the past three years. On the other hand, many of those improvements exist specifically because regulatory pressure forced them into existence, and the underlying philosophy of the company has not fundamentally changed.
Apple Self Service Repair, launched in 2022 and significantly expanded in 2024, now covers iPhone battery, screen, and camera repairs for consumers who are willing to rent Apple's professional repair toolkit for $199 per repair. The rental fee is refunded when you return the kit, and genuine Apple parts are available for purchase directly through the Self Service Repair portal. Independent repair shops can now become Apple Independent Repair Providers, gaining access to genuine parts, official diagnostics, and training at no cost, though they must meet Apple's facility requirements and agree to use Apple's diagnostic systems exclusively.
The iPhone 17 Pro received a repairability score of 7 out of 10 from iFixit's teardown team, a meaningful improvement over the iPhone 12 Pro's score of 6 out of 10. The shift to a removable bottom battery adhesive rather than fully welded cells was a genuine step forward. The display assembly can now be replaced without dismantling the entire device, and Face ID components are modular enough that a failed sensor does not require a logic board swap. Apple's collision detection and crash detection features, which rely on dedicated sensors, are now independently serviceable rather than being fused to the main board.
MacBooks tell a more frustrating story. The MacBook Pro 16 with M4 Max received a 6 out of 10 for repairability, which is technically an improvement but still reflects a design philosophy that prioritizes thinness over serviceability at every turn. The battery is glued rather than screwed, requiring solvent application to remove safely. The RAM and storage are permanently soldered to the logic board, meaning that the $1,499 base configuration you buy today cannot be upgraded to 32GB of RAM when your workflows evolve three years from now. This is not a repairability issue in the strictest sense, but it is a longevity issue that forces premature replacement, which is fundamentally what Right to Repair advocates are trying to prevent.
Apple scores well on software support duration, with a documented commitment to five to six years of iOS updates and seven to eight years of macOS updates for current-generation devices. This extended support window means an iPhone 17 Pro purchased today will receive security patches through 2032 or 2033, effectively doubling the useful lifespan of the device if the hardware holds up. This matters enormously in the repairability calculus, because a device that receives five additional years of software support is a device worth repairing when it breaks.
Overall, Apple earns a B-minus in our 2026 Right to Repair Report Card. The company has moved from active obstruction to grudging cooperation, largely because it had no choice. The Self Service Repair program remains expensive and technically demanding for average consumers, and the MacBook lineup continues to sacrifice repairability for industrial design aesthetics. But the trajectory is positive, and Apple Independent Repair Providers now number in the thousands across North America and Europe.
SAMSUNG: SURPRISINGLY COMPETITIVE
Samsung is one of the most pleasant surprises in our 2026 Right to Repair grades, and the company deserves more credit than it typically receives from the repair community. Samsung Galaxy smartphones have historically been criticized for adhesive-heavy construction and proprietary screw heads, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a meaningful departure from that pattern, earning a 7 out of 10 repairability score from independent teardown analysts.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a removable back glass panel, which was the most significant barrier to screen and battery repair in previous generations. Replacing the display now requires heat application and careful prying, but it no longer requires replacing the entire back chassis, which dramatically reduces repair costs. The battery uses a pull-tab adhesive rather than permanent glue, a change that Samsung resisted for years before finally adopting in the Galaxy S24 generation. Samsung's official Galaxy Repair Hub program now partners with over 3,000 independent repair shops globally, providing genuine parts access, training, and diagnostic tools without the restrictive certification requirements that Apple imposes.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tells a similar story of gradual improvement. Samsung's stylus digitizer, which was previously fused to the display assembly making stylus replacement a $350 proposition, is now a modular component that can be replaced independently. The tablet's battery is accessible through the back panel with standard T3 and T4 screwdrivers, and Samsung sells genuine replacement batteries directly to consumers for prices that are genuinely reasonable by industry standards.
Samsung's home appliance division has also embraced repairability in ways that go beyond minimum regulatory compliance. Samsung's SmartThings ecosystem includes a diagnostic mode that allows independent technicians to run full system checks on washing machines, refrigerators, and dryers without needing to purchase proprietary dealer-level software. Replacement parts for Samsung appliances are available through multiple third-party distributors, which keeps prices competitive and prevents the monopolistic parts pricing that has plagued some competitors.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is where Samsung's repairability story hits a snag. The smartwatch's display and battery are fused into a single assembly that cannot be replaced independently, meaning that any significant damage to a Galaxy Watch 8 requires a full unit replacement. Samsung's official watch repair options are limited compared to its smartphone and tablet offerings, and third-party watch repair shops consistently report difficulty sourcing genuine Samsung watch components.
Samsung earns a B in our 2026 Right to Repair Report Card. The company has made substantial improvements to its flagship smartphone and tablet repairability, maintains a robust independent repair partner network, and shows genuine commitment to extending software support windows. The Galaxy Watch category needs significant improvement, and Samsung's laptop offerings, represented by the Galaxy Book series, still lag behind the best in class for repairability.
GOOGLE: MODEST GAINS WITH CONSISTENT PHILOSOPHY
Google's Pixel smartphones have carved out a distinct identity in the repairability conversation, largely because Google has taken a more consistently open approach to repair documentation compared to its competitors. The Google Pixel 10 Pro earned a 7 out of 10 repairability score, matching Samsung's flagship and inching closer to the standards set by more repair-friendly manufacturers.
Google's iFixit partnership, which began with the Pixel 6 generation, allows consumers to purchase genuine Pixel replacement parts directly through iFixit's storefront. Screen replacements, battery replacements, and charging port assemblies are all available for the Pixel 10 series, with parts prices that are notably lower than Apple's equivalent components. Google's self-repair guide library is among the most comprehensive in the industry, featuring step-by-step photography, torque specifications for each screw, and diagnostic procedures that do not require proprietary software to execute.
The Pixel 10 Pro uses a pull-tab battery system similar to Samsung's latest designs, and the display can be removed with a heat gun and suction cup without specialized tools. Google's decision to use a single-piece aluminum mid-frame chassis actually improves structural rigidity and simplifies the repair sequence, because the internal components are mounted to a single structural piece rather than being distributed across multiple sub-assemblies that must be individually aligned during reassembly.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 is where Google's repairability commitment shows its limits. Like most smartwatches, the Pixel Watch 4 uses a fused display and digitizer assembly that cannot be independently serviced. Google's official trade-in and recycling program is competitive, offering reasonable value for devices with failed displays or batteries, but this is a replacement pathway rather than a repair solution. The environmental impact of replacing an entire watch when the battery degrades is exactly the kind of waste that Right to Repair advocates are trying to eliminate.
Google earns a B-minus in our 2026 Right to Repair Report Card. The company has maintained a consistent approach to repairability across multiple Pixel generations, and the iFixit partnership has matured into a genuinely useful resource for consumers who want to repair their own devices. The Pixel Watch line needs significant repairability investment, and Google's Chromebook and tablet lineup still lags behind its smartphone offerings in terms of parts availability and service documentation.
DELL AND MICROSOFT: THE BUSINESS LAPTOP ADVANTAGE
The commercial laptop segment has historically outperformed consumer devices in repairability because business customers demand serviceability as a procurement requirement. Dell's commercial lineup, represented by the Dell XPS 16 2026 and the Latitude series, demonstrates exactly why enterprise-focused design philosophy produces more repairable devices.
The Dell XPS 16 2026 earned a repairability score of 8 out of 10, making it one of the most repairable flagship laptops currently available. The RAM is user-upgradable via two SODIMM slots accessible through a single bottom panel screw. The NVMe storage drive can be removed and replaced without any disassembly beyond the bottom cover. The wireless card uses a standard M.2 2230 form factor rather than a proprietary module, which means a failed Wi-Fi card can be replaced with a $30 part from any computer hardware supplier rather than requiring a $150 Dell-specific component. The keyboard and trackpad are modular units connected by standard ZIF ribbon cables, and Dell sells genuine replacement keyboard assemblies for prices that are reasonable relative to the overall device cost.
Dell ProSupport Plus for Business, the company's premium support tier, explicitly includes provisions for independent repair shop servicing, and Dell's parts portal allows any repair technician with a tax ID to purchase genuine components without signing a commercial service agreement. This is exactly the kind of open-parts-access that repair advocates have been pushing for, and Dell's implementation is among the most straightforward in the industry.
Microsoft's Surface Pro 10 occupies a more complicated position in the repairability landscape. The Surface Pro line has historically been one of the least repairable devices in its class, with adhesive-heavy construction, soldered storage, and displays that required complete disassembly to service. The Surface Pro 10 shows marginal improvement, with a repairability score of 5 out of 10, which places it firmly in C territory.
The SSD in the Surface Pro 10 is now user-replaceable after Microsoft shifted to a removable M.2 2230 module in the Surface Pro 9 generation. However, the battery remains glued, the display requires complete disassembly to remove safely, and Microsoft Surface Diagnostic kits remain exclusive to Microsoft's authorized service network. The Surface Pro 10's kickstand mechanism, a signature design element, adds significant complexity to any back-panel repair because it contains multiple spring-loaded components that must be carefully re-tensioned during reassembly.
Dell earns a B-plus in our 2026 Right to Repair Report Card, driven by exceptional commercial laptop repairability and an open parts distribution model. Microsoft earns a C-plus, reflecting incremental Surface improvements that have not yet caught up to the standards set by Dell's commercial lineup.
FRAMEWORK: THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
No Right to Repair discussion in 2026 is complete without acknowledging Framework Computer, the San Francisco-based company that has built its entire brand identity around repairability. The Framework Laptop 16 and Framework Laptop 13 represent the pinnacle of consumer electronics repairability, and they exist as proof that a major hardware manufacturer can build genuinely competitive products while prioritizing ownership rights.
Framework designs every product around a core principle that each component should be replaceable with standard tools in under fifteen minutes. The motherboard, which houses the CPU and GPU, can be removed with five standard screws and replaced with a newer generation mainboard when the original hardware becomes obsolete. This mainboard replacement program is unique in the industry, effectively allowing Framework Laptop owners to upgrade their processors without purchasing an entirely new machine. Framework sells upgrade mainboards at prices that are substantially lower than the cost of a new laptop, making the upgrade path genuinely accessible rather than a marketing abstraction.
Framework's modular USB-C ports deserve special recognition as the most innovative repairability feature in the current laptop market. Each port is a self-contained module that plugs directly into the mainboard via a standardized connector. If a USB-C port fails from physical damage or wear, the owner can replace it with a $15 part that ships with a small screwdriver in the box. There is no soldering, no controller chip replacement, and no need to replace the entire mainboard. This modular port system has been independently verified by multiple teardown teams, and it remains unmatched by any other laptop manufacturer as of mid-2026.
The Framework Marketplace hosts over 200 third-party modules developed by independent engineers, including a mechanical keyboard deck, a numeric keypad module, and a secondary storage expansion bay. This ecosystem of user-designed modules represents the most ambitious implementation of the Right to Repair philosophy in a mass-market consumer product, and it demonstrates what is possible when a manufacturer genuinely commits to repairability as a core design value rather than a regulatory compliance checkbox.
Framework earns the only A-plus in our 2026 Right to Repair Report Card. The company's approach to repairability is comprehensive, consistent, and transparent. Framework publishes full repair guides, schematic documentation, and video tutorials on its official website, and the company actively advocates for Right to Repair legislation at the state and federal level. The Framework Laptop 16, powered by AMD Ryzen processors, delivers competitive performance while maintaining repairability standards that the rest of the industry can only aspire to match.
SONY: PREMIUM HARDWARE, MIXED SIGNALS
Sony occupies an unusual position in the repairability landscape because the company's products span such a wide range of categories that generalizations are difficult. The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones received a 6 out of 10 repairability score, which is respectable but not exceptional for over-ear headphones. The ear cup disassembly requires a T5 Torx driver, and the battery is a custom Sony part that can be replaced but only after navigating a surprisingly complex disassembly sequence that involves removing four adhesive-backed panels.
The Sony Alpha A7 IV camera body tells a more encouraging story. Sony's Alpha camera series has been a staple of independent repair shops for years, partly because professional photographers depend on repairability and partly because Sony has historically provided parts and documentation to the independent repair trade. The A7 IV features a user-replaceable shutter mechanism, which is significant because shutter failure is one of the most common failure modes in digital cameras. Replacement shutters are available from Sony's official parts distribution network and from third-party suppliers, with prices in the $150 to $200 range for the part alone.
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5 HT-B500 received unfavorable marks for repairability, with a fully glued construction that prevents any consumer-level disassembly without risk of permanent damage. This is a category-wide problem with premium soundbars that Sony has not meaningfully addressed, and it reflects a design philosophy that prioritizes industrial aesthetics over ownership longevity.
Sony earns a C-plus in our 2026 Right to Repair Report Card. The Alpha camera division demonstrates that Sony understands repairability in professional contexts, but consumer audio and video products show insufficient commitment to repair-friendly design. Sony's parts distribution remains opaque compared to competitors like Dell, with no self-service parts portal for most consumer product categories.
THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR ECOSYSTEM
Understanding the repairability of your device means very little if there are no repair shops capable of servicing it. The independent repair ecosystem is the connective tissue that makes Right to Repair a practical reality rather than an abstract legal principle, and the health of that ecosystem depends directly on whether manufacturers make parts and tools accessible to independent technicians.
iFixit remains the dominant force in the independent repair parts and tools market, offering over 50,000 repair parts and tools for devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, Sony, Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, and dozens of smaller manufacturers. iFixit's teardown guides are the most widely referenced repair documentation in the world, with over 100 million page views annually and guides available for virtually every major consumer electronics product released in the past decade. The iFixit community forums host active discussions where experienced technicians troubleshoot complex repairs and share techniques that would otherwise be trapped inside manufacturer certification programs.
Local independent repair shops fill a critical niche that neither manufacturer service centers nor big-box retail repair kiosks can replicate. A good independent repair shop typically charges 30 to 50 percent less than an authorized service center for equivalent repairs, and the technicians at these shops often have more experience with specific device models than the authorized repair networks because they see a higher volume of devices across more generations and variants. The average independent iPhone repair shop services 15 to 20 devices per week across a broader range of models than any authorized center, giving their technicians deep and diverse repair experience that translates directly to faster turnaround times and lower error rates.
The certification landscape has become increasingly fragmented as different manufacturers have launched competing programs with incompatible requirements. Apple's Independent Repair Provider program requires facility inspections, technician certifications, and ongoing fees that create meaningful barriers for small repair shops operating on thin margins. Samsung's Galaxy Repair Hub program has fewer barriers to entry but provides less technical support and training than Apple's equivalent. Google's repair program through iFixit is the most accessible of the three major platforms but covers the smallest range of device categories. This patchwork of incompatible certification systems creates unnecessary complexity for repair shops that want to service devices from multiple manufacturers, and it effectively penalizes small independent shops that cannot afford to maintain multiple certifications simultaneously.
EXPERT TIP: Before purchasing any device, check the iFixit repairability score and browse the community forums to see what real-world repair experiences look like. A device with a 7-out-of-10 teardown score that has an active community of independent technicians posting repair guides is often more practically repairable than a device with an 8-out-of-10 score that has no third-party support infrastructure.
DIY REPAIR: WHAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY FIX YOURSELF
Not every repair requires professional intervention, and understanding which repairs are within the capability of a careful consumer can save hundreds of dollars annually. Battery replacement is the most common DIY repair, and virtually every smartphone and tablet manufacturer now offers genuine replacement batteries through iFixit or their own self-service portals. Battery replacement typically requires a heat gun or hair dryer to soften adhesive, a suction cup and plastic pry tool to access the battery compartment, and a replacement battery that snaps into place with pull-tab adhesives. Total parts cost for an iPhone 17 Pro battery is approximately $45 through iFixit, compared to $89 through Apple's Self Service Repair program or $149 through an authorized service center.
Screen replacement is the second most common DIY repair category, and it has become significantly more accessible over the past three years as manufacturers shifted away from curved edge displays and ultra-thin bonding agents. The iPhone 17 Pro screen replacement can be completed in approximately 45 minutes with a repair toolkit that costs under $30, though the screen assembly itself costs approximately $180 through iFixit. Compare this to the $429 screen replacement cost through Apple Authorized Service, and the economic case for DIY repair becomes immediately obvious.
Charging port replacement is within reach of experienced DIYers but presents higher risk than battery or screen work because it involves disconnecting delicate ribbon cables and working with smaller components that are sensitive to static discharge. The USB-C charging port on the Google Pixel 10 Pro can be replaced for approximately $25 in parts with a repair guide that takes an experienced technician through 20 discrete steps. First-time DIYers should expect the process to take 60 to 90 minutes, and anyone attempting this repair should invest in an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge damage to sensitive components.
Storage upgrades are a category where repairability varies enormously by device. The Dell XPS 16 2026 allows storage upgrades trivially, with the M.2 2280 NVMe slot accessible under the bottom panel held by a single screw. The MacBook Pro 14 with M5 Pro has permanently soldered storage, making any storage upgrade impossible without replacing the logic board entirely. For devices with soldered storage, the practical workaround is external storage via USB-C or Thunderbolt, with high-speed portable SSDs like the Samsung T9 offering 2TB of additional storage at approximately $180.
LEGISLATIVE LANDSCAPE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR NEXT PURCHASE
The regulatory environment for Right to Repair continues to evolve rapidly, and the rules that manufacturers must follow vary significantly depending on where you live and what type of device you are purchasing. The European Union's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which took full effect in 2025, requires manufacturers selling products in EU member states to provide repair parts, tools, and technical documentation for a minimum of seven years after the last unit is sold for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and large household appliances. This regulation has already forced Apple, Samsung, and Google to expand their self-service repair programs in European markets, and the parts availability improvements have slowly propagated to other markets as manufacturers find it impractical to maintain separate supply chains for different regions.
In the United States, the regulatory picture remains fragmented. Colorado passed the first comprehensive Right to Repair law for consumer electronics in 2024, covering smartphones, tablets, and laptops sold in the state. New York followed with its Digital Fair Repair Act, which specifically addresses agricultural and consumer electronics equipment. Massachusetts has maintained strong automotive Right to Repair protections since 2012 and has expanded those protections to cover additional product categories in subsequent legislative sessions. Federal legislation that would create a national Right to Repair standard for consumer electronics has been introduced in multiple congressional sessions but has not yet reached a floor vote as of mid-2026.
The practical implication of this legislative patchwork is that your geographic location can significantly affect how repairable your devices are and how much repair access you have. EU residents have a legal right to repair consumer electronics from major manufacturers under the Ecodesign framework, while U.S. residents in states without specific repair legislation depend largely on manufacturer voluntary programs and whatever access the market competition creates. This creates a meaningful equity dimension to the Right to Repair debate that is frequently overlooked in favor of the more visible environmental and economic arguments.
FINAL GRADES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The 2026 Right to Repair Report Card reveals a technology industry at an inflection point. The brands that have historically obstructed repair are making grudging concessions, while the brands that have championed repair are demonstrating that there is no meaningful tradeoff between repairability and commercial success. Framework Laptop has proven that repairability can be a competitive advantage rather than a cost center, and the company's growth trajectory suggests that consumers are increasingly voting with their wallets for repairable products.
Our final grades reflect a comprehensive assessment across eight dimensions of repairability, real-world parts pricing, documentation quality, and the practical accessibility of independent repair options. Framework Computer earns an A-plus, setting the standard that no other manufacturer has yet matched. Dell earns a B-plus, driven by exceptional commercial laptop repairability and genuine parts access programs. Apple earns a B-minus, showing meaningful improvement but still holding back on MacBook serviceability. Samsung earns a B, with smartphone repairability gains offset by persistent smartwatch limitations. Google earns a B-minus, with strong Pixel smartphone repairability offset by a weak Pixel Watch repair story. Microsoft earns a C-plus, reflecting incremental Surface improvements that have not yet reached competitive standards. Sony earns a C, with professional camera division excellence contrasting sharply with consumer audio product mediocrity.
If you are buying a new device in 2026 and repairability is a meaningful factor in your decision, the data is clear. The Dell XPS 16 2026, the Framework Laptop 16, and the Google Pixel 10 Pro represent the best combination of performance, design quality, and genuine repairability available in their respective categories. The iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represent significant improvements over their predecessors but still require careful consideration of repair costs before purchase. Devices from Apple, Microsoft, and Sony in categories outside their repairability sweet spots should be evaluated with repair costs factored into the total cost of ownership rather than dismissed as an afterthought.
The Right to Repair movement has accomplished more in the past five years than in the previous twenty, but the work is far from finished. The brands that are still treating repairability as a compliance problem rather than a customer value are making a bet that consumers will not organize around this issue with their purchasing decisions. Based on the growth trajectories of companies like Framework and the measurable improvements from Apple and Samsung, that bet looks increasingly risky. In the meantime, the most powerful tool available to consumers who care about repairability is information, and that is exactly what this report is designed to provide.