Planned obsolescence: Difference between revisions
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* Legal Obsolescence: Regulatory bans. | * Legal Obsolescence: Regulatory bans. | ||
Modern devices are often sealed with adhesives, welded components, or proprietary screws, making disassembly difficult or destructive. Smartphones exemplify systemic and contrived obsolescence, glued in batteries and soldered components needing specialized tools in some cases and software updates that render the device useless<ref>{{Cite web |last= | Modern devices are often sealed with adhesives, welded components, or proprietary screws, making disassembly difficult or destructive. Smartphones exemplify systemic and contrived obsolescence, glued in batteries and soldered components needing specialized tools in some cases and software updates that render the device useless<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cordella |first=Mauro |last2=Alfieri |first2=Felice |last3=Clemm |first3=Christian |last4=Berwald |first4=Anton |date=2020-12-01 |title=Durability of smartphones: A technical analysis of reliability and repairability aspects |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871336/}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Smartphone Repairability Scores |url=https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/smartphone-repairability-scores |website=iFixit}}</ref> These design practices force consumers to rely on manufacturer-authorized repairs or buy replacements, aligning with planned obsolescence strategies | ||
A foundational 1984 Stanford study theorized that monopolists intentionally reduce product durability to maximize profits by forcing repeat purchases. Oligopolists may collude to shorten product lifespans, though outcomes depend on market dynamics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bulow |first=Jeremy |date=1984 |title=An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/economic-theory-planned-obsolescence |journal=Stanford Graduate School of Business}}</ref> | A foundational 1984 Stanford study theorized that monopolists intentionally reduce product durability to maximize profits by forcing repeat purchases. Oligopolists may collude to shorten product lifespans, though outcomes depend on market dynamics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bulow |first=Jeremy |date=1984 |title=An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/economic-theory-planned-obsolescence |journal=Stanford Graduate School of Business}}</ref> | ||
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Manufacturers employ physical and technical design choices to obstruct repairs, such as: | Manufacturers employ physical and technical design choices to obstruct repairs, such as: | ||
* Proprietary components: Printers often include chips that block third-party ink cartridges, rendering devices unusable unless replaced with expensive OEM parts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Right to Repair and the Fight against Planned Obsolescence |url=https://botpopuli.net/right-to-repair-and-the-fight-against-planned-obsolescence/ |website=botpopuli.net}}</ref> | *Proprietary components: Printers often include chips that block third-party ink cartridges, rendering devices unusable unless replaced with expensive OEM parts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Right to Repair and the Fight against Planned Obsolescence |url=https://botpopuli.net/right-to-repair-and-the-fight-against-planned-obsolescence/ |website=botpopuli.net}}</ref> | ||
* Glued or sealed units: Smartphones and laptops increasingly use non-removable batteries or adhesives, making replacements hazardous or impossible without specialized tools. For example, Apple's iPhones require prying open glued batteries, risking damage to internal components. | *Glued or sealed units: Smartphones and laptops increasingly use non-removable batteries or adhesives, making replacements hazardous or impossible without specialized tools. For example, Apple's iPhones require prying open glued batteries, risking damage to internal components. | ||
* Incompatible fasteners: Companies like Apple use tamper-resistant screws (e.g. pentalobe screws), preventing users from accessing internal parts. | *Incompatible fasteners: Companies like Apple use tamper-resistant screws (e.g. pentalobe screws), preventing users from accessing internal parts. | ||
These design choices ensure that even minor malfunctions necessitate professional (and costly) repairs or replacements, accelerating product turnover.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Built to fail: is planned obsolescence really happening? |url=https://www.consumersinternational.org/news-resources/blog/posts/built-to-fail-is-planned-obsolescence-really-happening/ |website=consumersinternational.org}}</ref> | These design choices ensure that even minor malfunctions necessitate professional (and costly) repairs or replacements, accelerating product turnover.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Built to fail: is planned obsolescence really happening? |url=https://www.consumersinternational.org/news-resources/blog/posts/built-to-fail-is-planned-obsolescence-really-happening/ |website=consumersinternational.org}}</ref> | ||
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Impediments are frequently utilized in software and legal matters. For example: | Impediments are frequently utilized in software and legal matters. For example: | ||
* Software locks: Manufacturers embed software that disables devices if third-party parts are detected. For instance, Apple's iOS has historically blocked phones with non-OEM screens or batteries from functioning fully. | *Software locks: Manufacturers embed software that disables devices if third-party parts are detected. For instance, Apple's iOS has historically blocked phones with non-OEM screens or batteries from functioning fully. | ||
* Warranty voiding: Many companies void warranties if users attempt repairs, deterring independent fixes. This practice forces consumers to rely on manufacturer-approved services, which may be prohibitively expensive or unavailable.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Planned Obsolescence |url=https://getenviropass.com/planned-obsolescence/ |website=getenviropass.com}}</ref> | *Warranty voiding: Many companies void warranties if users attempt repairs, deterring independent fixes. This practice forces consumers to rely on manufacturer-approved services, which may be prohibitively expensive or unavailable.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Planned Obsolescence |url=https://getenviropass.com/planned-obsolescence/ |website=getenviropass.com}}</ref> | ||
* Copyrighted repair manuals: Toshiba and others have restricted access to repair guides, stifling third-party repair markets. | *Copyrighted repair manuals: Toshiba and others have restricted access to repair guides, stifling third-party repair markets. | ||
Such tactics disproportionately affect low-income and geographically isolated consumers, who lack access to authorized repair centers.<ref name=":2" /> | Such tactics disproportionately affect low-income and geographically isolated consumers, who lack access to authorized repair centers.<ref name=":2" /> | ||