Planned obsolescence is the dirty secret behind your dying phone battery, your laptop slowing to a crawl, and your washing machine breaking right after the warranty expires.
It’s not bad luck – it’s a business strategy.
Corporations design products to fail to make sure you keep coming back for replacements.
And the result? More waste, more spending, and a planet drowning in discarded gadgets and appliances.
This article breaks down:
- How planned obsolescence started (and who profits).
- The sneaky ways companies make products fail (you’ll recognize them).
- The shocking environmental and financial cost.
- How to spot and avoid planned obsolescence (and save money).
The Origins of Planned Obsolescence: How It All Began
Planned obsolescence isn’t new. It started nearly a century ago, when businesses realized they could make more money if products didn’t last forever.
– The Light Bulb Conspiracy:
In the 1920s, the Phoebus Cartel – a group of light bulb manufacturers – secretly agreed to limit bulb lifespans to 1,000 hours (even though bulbs that lasted decades already existed).
This forced consumers to buy replacements more often.
After World War II, mass production boomed, and companies needed ways to keep sales high.
Designers like Brooks Stevens openly promoted planned obsolescence, calling it a way to “make people unhappy with what they have.”
By the 1950s, it was standard practice – cars, appliances, and electronics were built to break.
The 4 Types of Planned Obsolescence (And How They Trick You)
Companies use different tactics to ensure products fail.
Here’s how they do it.
A. Technical Obsolescence (Designed to Die)
This is when a product is built with weak parts that fail after a certain time.
For instance:
- Phones with non-replaceable batteries (they degrade, forcing an upgrade).
- Cheap plastic gears in appliances (they wear out fast).
B. Software Obsolescence (Forced Slowdowns)
Your device works fine… until an “update” makes it unusable.
- Apple’s iPhone throttling scandal (they admitted slowing old phones).
- Printers rejecting third-party ink (even when they work).
C. Aesthetic Obsolescence (Making You Feel Outdated)
Fashion and trends push unnecessary upgrades.
- Yearly iPhone redesigns (even if performance barely improves).
- Fast fashion (clothes designed to fall apart after a few wears).
D. Systemic Obsolescence (Incompatibility Trap)
New tech deliberately doesn’t work with old versions.
- Proprietary chargers (forcing you to buy new cables).
- Software that stops supporting older devices.
Environmental and Financial Damage of Planned Obsolescence
Planned obsolescence isn’t just annoying, it’s expensive and destructive.
1. Mountains of E-Waste:
- Over 50 million tons of electronic waste are dumped yearly.
- Less than 20% is recycled, the rest poisons landfills.
2. Wasted Money:
- The average American spends $1,480/year on electronics.
- Appliances now last half as long as they did 20 years ago.
Who Benefits?
- Apple made $394 billion in 2023, partly from forced upgrades.
- Fast fashion brands like Shein profit from clothes designed to disintegrate.
How to Spot (And Avoid) Planned Obsolescence
You don’t have to play their game. Here’s how to fight back.
1. Buy Repairable Products
– Look for:
- Modular phones (like Fairphone).
- Appliances with replaceable parts (check iFixit ratings).
2. Avoid “Trendy” Tech
- Skip minor upgrades (do you really need the iPhone 16?).
- Buy refurbished or last-gen models.
3. Support Right-to-Repair Laws
- Lobby for laws that force companies to provide repair manuals.
- Boycott brands that sue independent repair shops.
4. Learn Basic Repairs
- YouTube tutorials can fix most common issues.
- Local repair cafes often help for free.
5. Some Companies are Even Pushing Back
- Patagonia encourages repairs instead of replacements.
- Framework makes upgradable laptops.
But real change requires consumer pressure. If we stop buying disposable junk, companies will have to adapt.
Final Thoughts
Planned obsolescence thrives because most people don’t realize it exists.
Now that you do, you can:
- Buy smarter (choose durable brands).
- Repair, don’t replace (when possible).
- Spread awareness (most people have no idea).
The more we resist, the harder it gets for companies to keep scamming us.
Let’s stop the waste. Let’s stop the scams. Let’s demand better.