It’s the deliberate design of products to have a limited lifespan, nudging
consumers to replace them sooner than necessary. This practice feels all too
familiar in our fast-paced, consumer-driven world, especially here in
Singapore, where technology and trends evolve at breakneck speed.
Mobile Phones Upgrade: A Vicious Cycle
From mobile phones to household appliances, planned obsolescence seems to shape our daily lives more than we might realise.
In Singapore, owning the latest smartphone is almost a cultural norm. With our high connectivity and tech-savvy population, it’s no surprise that mobile phones are a prime example of planned obsolescence.
I’ve noticed how my phones, despite being the latest model at purchase, start to slow down after just two years. Software updates often demand more processing power, rendering older models sluggish.
For instance, I had a phone that was perfectly functional until a mandatory update caused green lines to appear after upgrade. It’s frustrating, especially in a city like Singapore, where we rely heavily on phones for everything—PayLah transactions at hawker centres, SingPass logins for government services, or even booking Grab rides.
The Buy Now documentary highlighted how manufacturers design phones with batteries that are hard to replace or components that wear out quickly (example Air Pod).
In Singapore, where repair shops in Sim Lim Square or Funan Mall are accessible, you’d think it’d be easy to extend a phone’s life. But often, the cost of replacing a battery or screen is so high that buying a new model feels more practical.
This cycle fuels constant upgrades, with many Singaporeans queuing for the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy at Orchard Road’s flagship stores, only to repeat the process a couple of years later.
No More Long Lasting Televisions
The documentary also made me reflect on household appliances, like TVs. Growing up in the 80s, I remember our family’s Japanese-made CRT television in our HDB flat.
That bulky box lasted over a decade, faithfully delivering Channel 8 dramas and shows without a hitch. Compare that to today’s sleek LED TVs, which seem to give up after just three or four years.
Back then, TVs were built to last, but today’s models seem designed to fail. The Buy Now show pointed out how manufacturers use cheaper components or lock essential features behind software that becomes obsolete.
Planned obsolescence is a reality we can’t fully escape, but being aware of it is the first step. By making more conscious choices—whether it’s repairing a phone at a local shop or buying second hand items from Carousell —we can reclaim some control.