Apple's planned obsolescence incidents: Difference between revisions
Added a section on hardware based planned obsolescence |
|||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==Product repair issues and software allegations== | ==Product repair issues and software allegations== | ||
Apple's implementation of planned obsolescence is primarily driven by technological obsolescence, encompassing hardware, firmware, and software limitations. The company's hardware design choices | Apple's implementation of planned obsolescence is primarily driven by technological obsolescence, encompassing hardware, firmware, and software limitations. The company's hardware design choices (such as proprietary screws, glued components, and complex internal layouts) make repairs difficult for consumers and third-party repair shops.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353685307_From_Planned_Obsolescence_to_the_Circular_Economy_in_the_Smartphone_Industry_an_evolution_of_strategies_embodied_in_product_features|DOI=10.1017/pds.2021.422|first1=Mário|first2=Eric|last1=Barros|last2=Dimla|journal=Proceedings of the Design Society 1:1607-1616|title=From Planned Obsolescence to the Circular Economy in the Smartphone Industry: an evolution of strategies embodied in product features|date=August 2021}} </ref> Firmware restrictions further limit repairability by disabling key functionalities when non-Apple components are used, as seen in battery and camera replacements, where users receive error messages and lose features like battery health monitoring and Face ID.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Disotto |first=John-Anthony |date=2023-05-16 |title=Does Apple build 'planned obsolescence' into its products? French investigation to find out begins |url=https://www.imore.com/apple/does-apple-build-planned-obsolescence-into-its-products-french-investigation-to-find-out-begins |website=iMore}}</ref> | ||
Until recently, software updates also contributed to planned obsolescence by leading to performance degradation. Research has confirmed that Apple's software updates negatively impacted battery performance, often slowing down older devices and making them less functional over time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-03-02 |title=Apple settles iPhone slowdown case for $500m |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51706635 |work=BBC}}</ref> Apple has been criticized for discontinuing software support for older iPhone models, which forces consumers to upgrade to newer devices to maintain essential functions such as web browsing and email. | Until recently, software updates also contributed to planned obsolescence by leading to performance degradation. Research has confirmed that Apple's software updates negatively impacted battery performance, often slowing down older devices and making them less functional over time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-03-02 |title=Apple settles iPhone slowdown case for $500m |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51706635 |work=BBC}}</ref> Apple has been criticized for discontinuing software support for older iPhone models, which forces consumers to upgrade to newer devices to maintain essential functions such as web browsing and email. | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
The EU-mandated transition in charging cables from Lightning to USB-C, affecting all smartphone manufacturers, required updates to existing accessories, reflecting a broader industry-wide standardization rather than forced obsolescence. | The EU-mandated transition in charging cables from Lightning to USB-C, affecting all smartphone manufacturers, required updates to existing accessories, reflecting a broader industry-wide standardization rather than forced obsolescence. | ||
== Hardware obsolescence == | ==Hardware obsolescence== | ||
Apple's planed obsolescence extends beyond software to hardware. Since the 2008 Mac book air, Apple has begun soldering the RAM into their laptops. They used proprietary RAM chips, making it impossible for consumers and 3rd-party repair shops to upgrade an ageing machine. | |||
In 2015 on the 12 inch MacBook Pro, Apple began soldering in the SSD, meaning consumers can't upgrade their storage or replace it when it dies. Up until 2017, a failed SSD could be mitigated with an external SSD but Apple decided to move the EFI (bios) to the SSD, meaning if the SSD dies on the laptop it becomes a brick. Failing SSDs should not brick a computer that is made for video editors and professionals. | |||
In 2015 on the 12 inch MacBook Pro | |||
==Lawsuit== | ==Lawsuit== | ||
In December 2022, French prosecutors opened an investigation into Apple over its part-pairing practice, which restricts third-party repairs. HOP, part of the Right to Repair Campaign, had previously filed a complaint, leading to Apple paying €25 million to the French treasury in 2020. HOP argues that this practice fosters planned obsolescence and harms sustainability efforts, advocating for a European ban on part-pairing. The investigation continues as part of broader efforts to protect consumer rights and encourage repairability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=Plainte contre Apple: le Procureur de la République ouvre l’enquête |trans-title=Complaint against Apple: the Public Prosecutor opens the investigation |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |language=fr}}</ref> | In December 2022, French prosecutors opened an investigation into Apple over its part-pairing practice, which restricts third-party repairs. HOP, part of the [[Right to repair|Right to Repair]] Campaign, had previously filed a complaint, leading to Apple paying €25 million to the French treasury in 2020. HOP argues that this practice fosters planned obsolescence and harms sustainability efforts, advocating for a European ban on part-pairing. The investigation continues as part of broader efforts to protect consumer rights and encourage repairability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=Plainte contre Apple: le Procureur de la République ouvre l’enquête |trans-title=Complaint against Apple: the Public Prosecutor opens the investigation |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |language=fr}}</ref> | ||
Legal actions against independent repair shops further solidify its control, making it difficult for users to extend the lifespan of their devices without relying on Apple’s costly repair services. | Legal actions against independent repair shops further solidify its control, making it difficult for users to extend the lifespan of their devices without relying on Apple’s costly repair services. | ||