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The warranty period for smart locks is generally two years for the mechanical components and one year for the electronic components,  while mobile phones of the same price point also come with a one-year warranty.

Then why do consumers feel that it is not cost-effective and the warranty period is far too short when spending 1,000 to 2,000 RMB on a smart lock,  yet they have no such complaints when purchasing a mobile phone at the same price?

Frankly speaking, people do not think a door lock is worth such a high price. After all, a mechanical lock priced at just 200 to 300 RMB can also secure the door and remain in good working condition for a decade. When a smart lock bought for 2,000 to 3,000 RMB malfunctions or fails to work properly after just over a year,  and users have to pay for repairs out of their own pockets,  it is widely regarded as a bad deal. Consumers naturally ask: Shouldn’t a product of this price come with a longer warranty? And a common suspicion arises: Is a brand's reluctance to extend the warranty a sign of inferior product quality? 

This is the prevailing mindset among buyers,  and its root cause lies in the unmet expectation of cost performance.For mobile phones, which are daily essentials also priced at 2,000 to 3,000 RMB,  they tend to become sluggish after more than a year of use,  with exorbitant repair costs—so much so that replacing a faulty phone with a new one is more economical than having it fixed. Nevertheless, consumers never criticize mobile phones for their short warranty periods. On the contrary, they are even happy to take a phone's poor performance as an excuse to upgrade to a new device. Mobile phones feature an extremely fast upgrade cycle, with constant launches of models boasting new functions and trendy designs, making people eager for a replacement. In fact, many would even feel awkward about changing their phones if the old ones still work perfectly well.

In sharp contrast, consumers hold entirely different expectations for smart door locks installed on entry doors: the only demand is long-term and stable performance. A smart lock cannot be flaunted to others, and even an aesthetically pleasing design will look the same after prolonged use. Unless homeowners replace the entire door, no one would go out of their way to change the smart lock for a different appearance every once in a while. The ideal scenario for most users is that the smart lock never breaks down and can last a lifetime, which is the most economical choice. As a result, while enjoying the convenience brought by smart locks, many consumers still judge these products by the standard of durability that mechanical locks are known for—this is a clear double standard.

It should be noted that the convenient experience of smart locks is provided by their electronic components. Like all electronic products, these components inevitably carry a certain failure rate and face the reality of continuous iteration and upgrading.

When a smart lock malfunctions, the issue usually lies with the fingerprint sensor or password module, and the mechanical unlocking part remains unaffected. In other words, even if users are unwilling to pay for a new fingerprint sensor, they can still unlock the door with a mechanical key, and the basic door opening and closing function will never be compromised. Treated purely as a mechanical lock, it can still serve for a decade. But who would be willing to do that? After all, the smart lock is purchased at several times the price of a mechanical lock, and using it only as a mechanical lock would feel like a huge loss.

This is precisely why consumers harbor resentment toward the short warranty period of smart locks.

Recognizing such user demands, numerous smart lock manufacturers and distributors have been making continuous efforts to upgrade product quality and extend the promised warranty periods—and this is undoubtedly a positive development for consumers. When purchasing a smart lock, consumers are advised to choose carefully: a warranty period of no less than three years is generally considered reliable and trustworthy.