July 24, 2025, 6:10 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Starting in June 2025, smartphones sold in the EU must have an energy label that provides information on aspects such as repairability and energy efficiency. The European Commission maintains a database where all devices with the label are listed. However, as TECHBOOK discovered, there was an error made by the developers of the tool during its setup.
Error in Battery Life Specification
At the launch of the EU energy label for smartphones and tablets, we compiled a list of devices with the longest battery life per charge cycle. This list is based on data from the European Product Database for Energy Labeling (EPREL). While filtering the information, we noticed that the first seven smartphone models all show the exact same battery life of 166 hours and 39 minutes. This is despite the fact that battery capacities vary significantly–between 15,000 mAh and 33,000 mAh.
It should be obvious that a smartphone with a 15,000 mAh capacity cannot have the same runtime as a device with 33,000 mAh. While different models operate at different voltages, a discrepancy of more than double the capacity cannot explain this. TECHBOOK has therefore asked the European Commission to explain this phenomenon. Does the directory possibly not allow entries that exceed the value (166h 39min)? Or is there an issue with the manufacturers’ self-reporting or the established testing procedure?
European Commission Explains What Went Wrong
After a few weeks of waiting, the European Commission got back to TECHBOOK and apologized for the delay. Indeed, there is an issue with the “maximum allowable value for ‘battery life per cycle’ of tablets and smartphones in EPREL.” The Commission analyzed the unexpected maximum value and admits that it “could be due to a technical limitation of the system.” They noted that the review and correction of the error could take a few days. However, due to “internal misunderstandings,” the email reached them later, and they added that “the problem should now be resolved.”
A look into the product database reveals that the maximum value has now been adjusted. Newer entries show values of up to 384h 54min–more than double the previous maximum. However, the information for the smartphones examined by TECHBOOK in June has not been corrected by the Commission. This currently leads to the absurd situation where, for example, the Ulefone Armor 34 Pro with a 25,500 mAh capacity has more than twice the runtime of the OUKITEL WP100 with a 33,000 mAh capacity.
Upon further inquiry, the Commission assured us “that the problem has been resolved and the manufacturers have been informed.” It is possible that smartphone manufacturers must first adjust the information on the label before the correct information appears in the database. TECHBOOK has not yet received a response to a request for clarification.