There are new types of phones every year, and they prompt users into switching their phones frequently. After all, phone conscious people do not want to appear old-fashioned or out of date. Their phones might still be working perfectly fine, but many will still trade them in for newer ones anyway. In addition, many phone applications require the most up to date models to run, so that is another reason that drives people to upgrade their phones.
The article suggests that if major phone companies, like Apple, can come up with designs that can last longer in terms of power and appeal, it is not necessary to release new phone types so often. Yet, the reason why phone, and any other companies launch new products periodically is because of competition. Everyone is fighting to outdo each other, and not having new products to sell is akin to suicide. The consumers are very fickle too, as they need something new to keep them interested.
I personally don't change my phone often, because it is troublesome and unnecessary. But when I see it from a different perspective, I begin to understand what drives consumerism. I am fond of makeups and often become excited when my favorite brands release new products. New products usually boast new, exciting seasonal colors or some kind of new technologies that claim to make the user even more beautiful. Most makeup products last for a few months, and it is usually not necessary to keep replacing them with new ones. But people are still tempted to get them anyway, because of appealing packaging, advertisements, and the sense of reward one gets when they shop for something. If a brand stops releasing new products, I assume that they are not popular and trendy.
So the same can be said about phones. The consumers' spending habits are controlled by the media and companies. It is becoming less about how long lasting a product is, but how trendy they are. There are little considerations towards the environmental impacts of such excessive productions.
Source:
http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/46431
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