Planned obsolescence is when a product is manufactured to have a short life span, forcing customers to replace the item on a regular basis.
I think that describes cell phones perfectly.
I've had my cell phone for a couple of years. It is in excellent shape, works perfectly well and has the 2 main features I demand of a cell phone, the ability to make and receive calls. Despite all of that, I will be replacing it in the immediate future. Why? Planned obsolescence.
When I first got the phone, I needed to charge the battery every 2 weeks or so. Then it started being every 10-12 days. Then 8-10. Now, a charge only lasts 5-7 days, even less if I actually use the phone. I'm tired of listening to that annoying low battery tone beeping through my conversation.
I could just replace the battery. I did a little searching online and found a replacement for as little as $13.99 plus postage. Perhaps, I could find one in a local store and avoid the postage. However, I can get a brand new phone for FREE (after rebate). So why would I spend $14 or more to get a new battery for the phone I've got? I really wish a new phone wasn't the best option, but there's no way around it. My cousin, also on our family plan, had to do the same thing a couple of months ago. I have to wonder how many thousands of phones end up in landfills each year for this very reason.
Planned Obsolescence - Cell Phones
April 15th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
April 15th, 2008 at 11:39 pm 1208302775
April 15th, 2008 at 11:45 pm 1208303102
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April 16th, 2008 at 12:37 am 1208306251
April 16th, 2008 at 01:03 am 1208307830
I did some more research and I can get a replacement battery on ebay for less than $7.00 including shipping. I think at that point, it might be worth keeping the phone even though I could replace it for free. I hate the idea of replacing a perfectly good phone that I'm comfortable with and know all the features of.
April 16th, 2008 at 01:13 pm 1208351598
April 16th, 2008 at 02:09 pm 1208354946
April 16th, 2008 at 02:23 pm 1208355788
I can go about 3 days without a charge on my sprint phone. My solution for charging is to use the car charger about every 12 hours until I remember to charge it at night. My cell is my alarm clock, but no outlet is near my bed.
Our cells are with sprint, I am on phone 4 in 6 years. The only person which calls me is my wife or salespeople (most of the time).
We are NOT getting new sprint phones, even if these break, because we do not like sprint service or the price ($85 for two phones, share minutes).
April 16th, 2008 at 03:50 pm 1208361038
April 16th, 2008 at 06:51 pm 1208371861