Understanding Planned Obsolescence: Is It a Bad Thing?
Have you ever felt like your smartphone started slowing down right around the time a new model was released? Or maybe a perfectly good printer suddenly stopped working, citing an "end of life" error for a part you cannot replace? You are not imagining things. This frustrating experience is often the result of a strategy known as planned obsolescence.
In this article, we will break down what planned obsolescence is, the different ways it shows up in your devices, and explore the complex question: is it actually a bad thing?
What Exactly Is Planned Obsolescence?
Planned obsolescence is a business strategy where a product is intentionally designed with an artificially limited useful life. The goal is to make the product become outdated, non-functional, or unfashionable after a certain period. This is not due to random chance or poor engineering, but a deliberate choice by the manufacturer to encourage you to buy a replacement sooner than you otherwise would need to. It is a core driver of repeat business in many industries, especially consumer electronics.
The Different Faces of Obsolescence
Planned obsolescence isn't always as obvious as a device simply breaking. It comes in several forms, some more subtle than others.
Contrived Durability
This is the most well-known type. It involves designing products with components that are known to fail after a certain amount of use. Examples include using lower-quality materials for critical parts, sealing batteries into a device so they cannot be easily replaced, or using a component like a printer's ink absorber pad that is programmed to stop working after a set number of pages.
Prevention of Repairs
A growing trend is making devices difficult or impossible to repair. Manufacturers might use proprietary screws that require special tools, glue components together instead of using screws, or refuse to sell spare parts to consumers or independent repair shops. They may also use software to block the use of third-party components, ensuring only they can perform a repair, often at a very high cost.
Perceived Obsolescence
This form is purely psychological. The product you own still works perfectly well, but companies use marketing and aesthetic design changes to make you feel like your version is outdated. The yearly release of new smartphones with slightly different camera layouts or new colors is a classic example. The desire to have the latest and greatest model makes you want to upgrade, even when your current device meets all your needs.
Systemic Obsolescence
This happens when a product becomes obsolete because the system around it changes. A common example is when software updates are no longer provided for older hardware. This can leave your device vulnerable to security risks or unable to run new applications. Another example is the changing of connectors and ports, like the switch from older USB types to USB-C, making your old cables and accessories incompatible without an adapter.
The Big Question: Is It a Bad Thing?
On the surface, forcing consumers to constantly replace products seems inherently negative. However, to have a complete understanding, it is important to look at the arguments from both sides.
The Case Against Planned Obsolescence
Environmental Impact: This is perhaps the most significant negative consequence. Manufacturing new electronics consumes vast amounts of energy and rare earth minerals. Discarded devices create a mountain of electronic waste (e-waste), which often contains toxic materials that can pollute soil and water.
Financial Cost to Consumers: Constantly having to replace or upgrade devices places a significant financial burden on individuals and families. What could have been a one-time purchase for many years becomes a recurring expense.
Fostering a "Throwaway Culture": This practice encourages a wasteful mindset where products are seen as disposable rather than durable goods to be maintained. It devalues craftsmanship and long-term ownership.
Are There Any Arguments For It?
While often criticized, some proponents offer counterarguments for this business model.
Driving the Economy and Innovation: The cycle of replacement fuels constant manufacturing, creates jobs, and drives economic growth. Companies argue that the revenue from new sales funds the research and development needed for the next generation of faster, better, and more feature-rich products.
Improving Safety and Performance: In some cases, older technology can become a safety or security risk. Companies might argue that phasing out old software and hardware ensures users are on more secure and efficient systems.
Affordability: Designing a phone to last for ten years would require more durable, and therefore more expensive, components. This would significantly increase the upfront cost of the device, making it inaccessible for many consumers. Planned obsolescence can keep initial purchase prices lower.
What Can You Do About It?
As a consumer, it can feel like you have little power, but your choices and actions can make a difference.
Support the Right to Repair: Advocate for legislation that requires companies to make spare parts, repair manuals, and diagnostic tools available to the public and independent shops.
Make Informed Purchases: Before buying a new gadget, research its durability and repairability. Websites like iFixit provide repair scores for many electronics, giving you an idea of how easy they are to fix.
Extend the Life of Your Devices: Often, a device slows down because its battery is degrading or its storage is full. Replacing a battery or cleaning up files can give a device a new lease on life for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
Consider Refurbished Tech: Buying refurbished products from reputable sellers is a great way to get a high-quality device, save money, and reduce environmental impact.
Dispose of Electronics Responsibly: When a device is truly at its end, do not just throw it in the trash. Find a certified e-waste recycling center to ensure its materials are handled safely.
Summary
Planned obsolescence is a complex and controversial business practice. It is a deliberate strategy to limit the lifespan of products to encourage consumerism, which has significant environmental and financial downsides. While some argue it drives innovation and keeps products affordable, the negative impacts are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Here at Gephart's Tech Consulting, we believe an informed user is an empowered user. By understanding the forces that make your gadgets fail, you can make smarter purchasing decisions, support companies with better practices, and learn how to extend the life of the technology you already own. Your choices matter, and together, we can push for a more sustainable and consumer-friendly future.