Smartphones should last longer than five years

Stefan Mileschin · 16th May 2022, 08:04

Comment: The one-year business model is a cruel industry joke

For years smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung have encouraged users to upgrade their phones to the latest model every year, however, the technology has not moved much in ages.

There are signs that punters are keeping their phones for at least two years, but the question is why are smartphones not being built to last?

From the mid-range to flagships, hardware is now more than powerful enough to last several years without going obsolete and any changes can be made on software level. There are also sustainability and right-to-repair arguments regarding raw materials and e-waste which make the current approach nothing short of stupid.

Word on the street is that refurbished handsets are doing rather well, but the kicker has been the manufacturers not that keen on what will not be particularly profitable for them. Apple, in particular, has dragged its feet seeing the right to repair model as being alien both to its walled garden concept and its bottom line.

https://fudzilla.com/news/mobile/548...han-five-years

16th May 2022, 08:04	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 153,575	Smartphones should last longer than five years Comment: The one-year business model is a cruel industry joke For years smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung have encouraged users to upgrade their phones to the latest model every year, however, the technology has not moved much in ages. There are signs that punters are keeping their phones for at least two years, but the question is why are smartphones not being built to last? From the mid-range to flagships, hardware is now more than powerful enough to last several years without going obsolete and any changes can be made on software level. There are also sustainability and right-to-repair arguments regarding raw materials and e-waste which make the current approach nothing short of stupid. Word on the street is that refurbished handsets are doing rather well, but the kicker has been the manufacturers not that keen on what will not be particularly profitable for them. Apple, in particular, has dragged its feet seeing the right to repair model as being alien both to its walled garden concept and its bottom line. https://fudzilla.com/news/mobile/548...han-five-years

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