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Planned obsolescence

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Overview

Planned obsolescence is a business strategy where products are intentionally designed to become obsolete, undesirable, or to stop functioning within a predetermined time-frame, forcing consumers to replace them. This practice maximizes profits for corporations, but leads to unnecessary waste and consumer frustration.

The phrase "planned obsolescence" was coined in 1932 by Bernard London, who proposed mandatory product expiration to stimulate Depression-era economies. Brooks Stevens later popularized it in the 1950s, defining it as instilling a desire for newer products "sooner than necessary".

Vance Packard’s 1960, The Waste Makers, critiqued corporations for manipulating desires through style changes and a perception of being out of date. Modern fast fashion and tech industries continue this trend, fostering "throwaway" cultures.

Types of Planned Obsolescence:

  •    Contrived or Artificial Durability: Designing products with inferior materials that wear out quickly or using non removable/repairable components.
  •    Systemic Obsolescence: Technological incompatibility, such as software updates rendering older devices unusable.
  •    Perceived or Aesthetic Obsolescence: Marketing-driven trends that make functional items seem outdated.
  •    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[1] [2] 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.[3]

Examples of Planned Obsolescence

Software updates:

  • Apple’s "Batterygate": Apple admitted to slowing down older iPhones via iOS updates to compensate for aging batteries, pushing users to upgrade.[4][5]
  • Microsoft Windows 7 EOL (End of Life): Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in 2020, forcing upgrades.[6]
  • Samsung Smart TV "Slowdowns": Older TVs received updates that degraded performance.[7]
  • Fitbit’s Planned Software Expiration: Older devices lose app compatibility after updates.[8]
  • Sonos Speaker "Recycle Mode": Software updates brick older devices during setup.[9]

Hardware limitations:

  • Tesla Battery Degradation: Older Tesla models experience rapid battery capacity loss, requiring costly replacements.[10]
  • GE Microwaves with Sealed Electronics: Circuit boards prone to failure but inaccessible for repair.[11]
  • HP printers reject third-party ink cartridges via firmware updates.[12]

Famous Planned Obsolescence Cases

Cases
Year Company Product Details
2017 Apple iPhones Apple admitted it had released software updates that could slow down older iPhone models when their batteries degraded. This was allegedly done to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries. This resulted in 3 settlements totaling over USD $600M[5]
2018 Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Italy’s antitrust body fined Samsung €5 million regarding software updates that allegedly slowed down certain Galaxy phones.[13]
2016 HP Printer HP released firmware updates for "Dynamic Security", causing printers to show error messages or stop working if a non-HP-branded cartridge was installed. Multiple settlements were reached totaling over USD $5M between 2016 and 2020.[14]
1925 Associated Electrical Industries(UK),

General Electric(US), Osram(GER), Phillips(US), Tungsram(HUN)

Incandescent Light Bulbs One of the earliest examples of planned obsolescence. On January 15, 1925 corporations based in Europe and the U.S. incorperated a cartel called, Phœbus S.A. Compagnie Industrielle pour le Développement de l'Éclairage, Industrial Company for the Development of Lighting. Until 1939, Phoebus S.A. kept the life-span of light bulbs to 1,000 hours. After the cartel was dissolved the industry continued this practice for years.[15]


See Also

References

  1. ↑ Cordella1, Alfieri2, Clemm3, Berwald4, Mauro1, Felice2 , Christian3, Anton4 (2020-12-01). "Durability of smartphones: A technical analysis of reliability and repairability aspects".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Smartphone Repairability Scores". iFixit.
  3. ↑ Bulow, Jeremy (1984). "An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence". Stanford Graduate School of Business.
  4. ↑ "Apple confirms iPhones with older batteries will take hits in performance / It makes sense, but the company could have been a bit more transparent". The Verge.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/science/4153770-apple-to-start-paying-out-claims-in-500m-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-reports/
  6. ↑ "What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?".
  7. ↑ "Samsung TV Update Bugs". Wired.
  8. ↑ "FitBit Legacy Device Support Ends". CNET.
  9. ↑ "Sonos explains why it bricks old devices with 'Recycle Mode'". The Verge.
  10. ↑ "High-energy long-cycling all-solid-state lithium metal batteries enabled by silver–carbon composite anodes". Nature Energy.
  11. ↑ "GE Appliances Repair Monopoly". ProPublica.
  12. ↑ "HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly". Ars Technica.
  13. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/24/apple-samsung-fined-for-slowing-down-phones
  14. ↑ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/
  15. ↑ https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/82/753/1755675/
  1. REDIRECT Self-destructive design
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