April 17, 2026, 1:27 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
While the EU is trying to extend the lifespan of smartphones through new repair laws, China is already far ahead. It’s no secret that the majority of global electronics expertise is concentrated in tech hubs like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. It’s no wonder, then, that they handle damaged smartphones differently there. Instead of simply replacing a defective component entirely, they use their expertise for delicate repairs.
Repairs Like Cars
The whole process is more reminiscent of how a car would be treated in Germany. Instead of replacing an entire door for a small dent, body filler, sanding tools, and car paint are used. As a user shows in a post on X (formerly Twitter), similar repairs are also available for iPhones in China.
The video shows an iPhone 17 Pro Max with several dents in its aluminum casing. The metal is softer than the titanium frame in previous Pro models, making it more prone to scratches and scuffs. However, it is also much easier to work with.
The repair experts demonstrate how they fill the spots with filler, sand down the excess, and treat it with paint, just like with a car. After the procedure, the damage is practically invisible.
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Hardly Conceivable Outside China
In China, several factors come together that favor this type of smartphone repair. One is the concentrated expertise; another is the cost issue. In China, the average salary is between 13,000 and 14,000 euros. However, an iPhone costs the same as in Europe, where salaries are three to four times higher. So, if you own such an expensive device, it’s wise to take good care of it. Not only to avoid buying a new one, but also to maintain its resale value.
Wouldn’t this be a business idea in Germany as well? Hardly, because the labor costs for labor-intensive iPhone repairs are simply too high here. Even skilled hands would certainly need several hours to fix a dent in an iPhone casing. It’s more cost-effective to replace the entire casing–at least price-wise.
Are Innovative Repairs Sustainable?
The current example is just one of many showing how innovation in repair can change the smartphone market. For older iPhones, a damaged glass back can now be replaced using a laser that melts away the adhesive underneath. This is even possible in Germany at some shops for reasonable prices. In China, there are service providers who remove scratches from the display by evenly polishing the glass.
Even if it often doesn’t seem cost-effective, these repairs can certainly have a future. They serve to preserve something, not replace it. Given the massive e-waste problem, which is becoming increasingly dangerous for the environment in countries like China and the U.S., this is the right approach.