It was not too long ago when my S22+ got the dreaded green line, costing me a RM600+ repair fee and a lunch break from having to go back and forth from the repair centre.
This got me thinking: Has tech always been this way? Always putting users on edge for fear of a random wire coming loose, leading to hefty repair costs or even a replacement?
Now, people often cite those “unbreakable” Nokias and Motorolas of the 2000s as a reference for the decaying lifespans of devices, but is tech really getting more fragile and shorter-lived, or is it all a matter of perspective?
Let’s take a look at the stats.
Letting the numbers talk
According to a 2022 study by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), consumers generally expect most tech products to last about five years, with more mature devices such as TVs, desktop computers, and printers holding the highest expected lifespan among consumers, at 6.5, 6, and 5.7 years respectively.
Au contraire, more recent devices such as smartphones, smart speakers, and wireless accessories are expected to last fewer years post-purchase, at 4.8, 4.5, and 4.4 years respectively.
How does this stack up against the actual lifespans of devices, though?
| Tech | Expected Lifespan (years) | Average Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|
| DSLR/Mirrorless digital camera | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| TV | 6.5 | 6.1 |
| Video game console | 5.2 | 4.8 |
| Smart TV | 6.0 | 4.6 |
| Digital media streaming device | 5.3 | 3.9 |
| A/V receiver | 5.2 | 4.8 |
| Soundbar | 5.4 | 4.3 |
| Portable wireless speaker | 4.9 | 3.7 |
| Desktop computer | 5.7 | 5.1 |
| Multi-function printer | 5.6 | 4.8 |
| Laptop computer | 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Tablet | 5.1 | 4.3 |
| Cellular phone | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| Smartphone | 4.8 | 3.2 |
| Smart home products | 5.2 | 3.5 |
| Wearables | 4.3 | 3.4 |
| Headphones/earbuds | 4.4 | 3.1 |
| Gaming accessories | 4.2 | 3.7 |
Indeed, with the exception of DSLRs or mirrorless digital cameras, most consumers expect their devices to last longer than they are reported to.
That said, despite the common perception that tech lifespans are decaying over the decades, the European Environment Agency reports that the durability and repairability ratings of smart phones have increased since 2020.
As such, replacement rates of tech devices have gone down. According to Statista, smartphone upgrade cycles have steadily lengthened since 2013, going up from 2.4 to 3.7 years in 2022.
So, where does this idea of shrinking tech lifespans come from?
Taking a step back
Despite the longer replacement cycles, the European Environment Agency (EEA) notes that the consumption volume of electrical and electronic appliances has risen by more than three-fold since 2000.
Although consumption of other common consumer goods such as clothing and vehicles has also increased during that period, none have shown as much growth as consumer electronics.
“This surge is closely linked to the proliferation of mobile phones over the past two decades,” said EEA.
With more people opting for multiple phones, while also having to buy more devices to ease work processes and daily activities, the additional consumption of tech goods would lead to a perceived increase in tech replacement.
Further, these statistics do not take into account the second-hand market. With minimal changes between the yearly flagship devices, more people are opting to buy and sell their used devices online, adding to the perceived increase in replacement rates.
But what about planned obsolescence?
“But wouldn’t the deliberate slowing of older phones lead to higher replacement rates?”
In late-2017, Apple confirmed that it had implemented software performance controls based on battery health on older iPhone devices following reports of performance degradation on these phones.
Known as Batterygate, this led to various class action lawsuits being filed against Apple, including a fine by French consumer authorities and several U.S. states.
That said, Science Daily states that although planned obsolescence by manufacturers like Apple could contribute to device replacement rates, devices are still not being used long enough for these effects to kick in anyway.
Tamar Makov, a doctoral student at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, states in the study that “in most cases phones are replaced when they are still working fine, so improving repairability won’t necessarily help much.”
Perhaps we should be focused on what really makes us replace phones so quickly, or we should be angry at manufacturers for making really good commercials. But it’s likely that the problem is not the hardware.
So, we good?
Although the data indicates that devices and electronic appliances are lasting longer, the sheer rise in consumption of tech goods still proves to be an environmental and sustainability concern.
According to data from the Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia accumulated 2,459 tonnes of household electronic waste in 2021, with research findings indicating approximately 24.5 million units of e-waste in 2025.
In 2020, Malaysia’s recycling rate was approximated to be 36.67%, which lags behind neighbouring countries. As reported by the DOE, the household e-waste recycling rate in the country does not exceed 25%, implying that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of e-waste end up in landfills annually.
Although the shift in consumer mentality towards a more moderate, financially savvy approach is a great start, upping our recycling practices when it comes to e-waste is still an effort we need to work on in building a sustainable future.
Featured Image Credit: Images used under licence from Shutterstock
