In a world where innovation never sleeps, some technologies are born with a countdown clock already ticking. Welcome to the age of planned obsolescence—a practice where products are intentionally designed to have a limited lifespan. From smartphones that slow down over time to printers that refuse to work after a certain number of pages, many technologies seem to die young. But is this simply the cost of progress, or is something more troubling at play?
What Is Planned Obsolescence?
Planned obsolescence is the practice of designing products with an artificially limited useful life, ensuring that they become outdated or non-functional after a certain period. This can take several forms:
- Technical obsolescence: When software updates are no longer compatible with older hardware.
- Functional obsolescence: When a product loses key functionality by design.
- Aesthetic obsolescence: When style changes make older models feel outdated, even if they still work.
This isn’t a glitch—it’s a feature, embedded by manufacturers to drive repeat purchases and control market cycles.
The Cost of Disposable Innovation
At first glance, rapid turnover in tech might seem like a sign of progress. New models bring better cameras, faster processors, and smarter features. But this cycle has a dark side:
1. Environmental Impact
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Many discarded devices still work, or could be repaired with minor tweaks. But proprietary parts, glue-sealed cases, and unsupported software make repair difficult, if not impossible.
2. Financial Drain
Consumers end up trapped in a loop of endless upgrades. When a phone stops receiving updates after just two years, the only viable option becomes replacement—often at a steep price.
3. Loss of Autonomy
Users have less control over the products they own. A smart lightbulb that stops functioning because the cloud service is shut down? That’s not user error—it’s deliberate obsolescence.
The Business Behind the Breakdown
Why would companies deliberately limit the lifespan of their products? The answer is simple: profit. Continuous demand for replacements creates a stable revenue stream. It also aligns with the modern startup mantra of “move fast and scale faster,” where long-term durability often takes a backseat to short-term gains.
In some industries, this behavior is institutionalized. Inkjet printers, for example, may contain chips that limit their usage regardless of remaining ink levels. Phones may have batteries that degrade rapidly and are glued in place to discourage DIY repairs.
Fighting Back: The Right to Repair Movement
Not everyone is taking this lying down. The Right to Repair movement has gained traction globally, pushing for legislation that forces manufacturers to:
- Provide access to replacement parts
- Offer repair manuals to the public
- Design products that are easier to fix and upgrade
Countries like France have introduced repairability scores, and tech advocates around the world are challenging the industry’s throwaway culture.
Rethinking Innovation
The future doesn’t have to be disposable. Imagine a phone with modular parts that can be swapped out like LEGO bricks, or laptops designed for easy battery replacement and upgrade. Some companies—like Fairphone or Framework—are already proving that sustainable tech is possible without sacrificing innovation.
Conclusion
Technology should empower us, not exploit us. When devices are obsolete by design, we’re not just losing functionality—we’re losing trust, control, and sustainability. As consumers, creators, and citizens, it’s time to demand more from our machines—and the companies that build them.
