Planned Obsolescence

Planned obsolescence is the practice of designing products with a limited lifespan, so that they become outdated or no longer functional after a certain period of time. This is done in order to encourage consumers to purchase new products, rather than repairing or maintaining their existing ones.

An example of planned obsolescence is the practice of designing smartphones with a limited lifespan, so that they become slower or less functional after a certain number of updates. This can encourage users to purchase a new phone, even if their existing phone is still in good working condition.

Another example is the practice of designing printers with high ink consumption, so that users have to frequently purchase new ink cartridges. This can make the printer seem like a good value initially, but the high cost of ink can make it more expensive in the long run.

Planned obsolescence has been criticized because it can generate waste and contribute to environmental problems. It can also be seen as a way for companies to increase their profits by encouraging consumers to purchase new products rather than repairing or maintaining their existing ones.