Planned obsolescence and the right to repair, explained

Products that can't be repaired, batteries you can't replace, software updates that slow down older devices. These aren't accidents. Understanding why they happen — and who benefits — is the first step to buying smarter and wasting less.

What planned obsolescence is

Planned obsolescence refers to the practice of designing or engineering products so that they fail, wear out, become unfixable, or feel outdated within a timeframe shorter than they technically need to — encouraging consumers to replace them sooner than they otherwise would.

The concept has a long history. In the early twentieth century, manufacturers in some industries reportedly agreed to limit product lifespans to keep sales moving. Since then, the term has expanded to cover a wide range of practices, from obvious physical engineering decisions to subtler psychological and software-driven ones.

It's worth noting upfront that not every short product lifespan is the result of deliberate planning. Some are genuine trade-offs: making something thinner, lighter or cheaper often means fewer repairability options. Technology genuinely advances, making some older products less capable for certain tasks. And consumer preferences do shift. The practical result — products that don't last and can't be fixed — is often the same regardless of how intentional it was. But the distinction matters when it comes to accountability and policy responses.

Common forms of planned obsolescence

Planned obsolescence shows up in several distinct ways, sometimes separately, sometimes in combination.

• Unrepairable design. Products assembled with proprietary screws, glue or clips that make them deliberately hard to open without specialist tools or significant risk of damage. No repair guide published; no spare parts sold.
• Glued-in or non-replaceable batteries. Rechargeable lithium batteries degrade over time — this is chemistry, not a defect. When a battery is glued in rather than clipped, replacing it becomes impractical for most users and requires specialist shops. This is one of the most common forms of design obsolescence in consumer electronics.
• No spare parts or repair manuals available. Even products that could technically be repaired become disposal candidates when the parts to fix them are unavailable or prohibitively expensive, and when no documentation explains how to do it.
• Software slowdowns or dropped updates. Older devices can feel slower after software updates because the new software is optimised for more powerful hardware. In some cases this is an unavoidable consequence of adding features; in others it has been alleged to be deliberate. Dropping software support entirely for older devices — even when the hardware is capable — effectively forces an upgrade for users who want security patches.
• Fashion and style churn. Not all obsolescence is physical. Changing product aesthetics season by season, or making functional improvements so incremental that they're largely cosmetic, encourages upgrades from perfectly functional items. This is especially visible in fashion, smartphones and consumer electronics.
• Incompatible accessories and connectors. Changing charging connectors, proprietary formats, or accessory systems that only work with the latest model locks users into an ecosystem and makes older items feel incomplete.

Why it matters: waste, e-waste and the cost to you

The consequences of planned obsolescence are real and significant on several levels.

Waste. Products that can't be repaired end up as waste long before they would otherwise need to. The materials, energy and water used to make them — often enormous — are thrown away along with the product. Manufacturing a new replacement repeats the whole cycle.

Electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. Electronics contain valuable recoverable materials alongside toxic components that cause real harm if not properly handled. When devices are designed to be discarded rather than repaired, and when there's no accessible recycling infrastructure, much of this material ends up in landfill or is exported to countries with lower regulatory standards. The environmental and human health costs are serious.

Cost to consumers. Shorter product lifespans mean more frequent purchases. Across a lifetime of electronics, appliances and clothing, the cost of planned obsolescence to individual households is substantial — even if each individual purchase feels affordable at the time. Repairs, when available, are almost always cheaper than replacement.

Resource consumption. Every new manufactured product requires raw materials — metals, minerals, plastics, textiles. Many of these materials are energy-intensive to extract and process, with significant environmental footprints of their own. Extending product lives reduces the demand for virgin materials.

The right-to-repair movement

The right to repair is a growing political, legal and consumer movement that argues people should have access to the tools, parts, manuals and software needed to repair the products they own — or to take those products to an independent repairer of their choice, rather than being forced back to the manufacturer.

In practice, this means pushing for:

• Manufacturers to make spare parts available to consumers and independent repair shops at reasonable prices.
• Repair manuals and diagnostic tools to be published or made accessible.
• Software and firmware not to be locked in ways that prevent legitimate repair.
• Products to be designed with repairability in mind — including accessible batteries, standard screws, and modular components.

Several regions and countries have moved towards right-to-repair legislation, requiring manufacturers to provide parts and information for certain product categories. The scope, strength and enforcement of these laws varies considerably. Some cover only major appliances; others are extending to electronics. The picture is changing, and it varies significantly by country — checking what rules apply where you live will tell you what protections you currently have.

Independent repair organisations and campaigners — including community repair cafes, advocacy groups and online communities sharing repair knowledge — have also built a parallel ecosystem that helps people fix things regardless of what manufacturers make available.

What you can do

Consumer choices, collectively, do influence what manufacturers produce and how policymakers prioritise. Here are the actions that make a practical difference.

• Repair rather than replace. When something breaks, repair is almost always the first question worth asking. Many repairs are simpler than they look, and there are now extensive online resources, video guides and community forums that can walk you through them. See our repair guide for practical starting points.
• Buy refurbished or second-hand. Pre-owned electronics, appliances and other goods sidestep the planned obsolescence issue for the buyer — you're extending the life of an existing device rather than triggering the production of a new one. Our guide to ethical electronics covers how to find and vet refurbished devices.
• Keep devices longer. The most sustainable device you own is usually the one you already have. Every year you delay replacing a working phone, laptop or appliance reduces the resource demand and waste associated with your consumption of that product category.
• Support repair-friendly brands. Some manufacturers do prioritise repairability — publishing manuals, selling parts, designing for longevity. Choosing these brands when you do buy sends a signal through purchasing decisions and public reviews.
• Use repair cafes and community resources. Free community repair events, makerspaces and online communities can help you fix things you might otherwise discard, and build the skills to do more yourself.
• Recycle properly when you must replace. When a product genuinely reaches end of life, responsible recycling is important. Look for certified e-waste recyclers or manufacturer take-back schemes in your area rather than putting electronics in general waste.
• Support policy. Right-to-repair laws are made by lawmakers who respond to public pressure. Contacting representatives, supporting advocacy organisations, or simply being a vocal consumer helps build the political case for stronger rules.

How to spot durability vs disposability when buying

You can't always tell how long something will last from a shop description, but there are signals worth looking for. When you're thinking about buying a new product — especially electronics or appliances — consider:

• Is the battery user-replaceable, or at least easily replaced by a repair shop?
• Are spare parts (screens, buttons, seals, belts) sold by the manufacturer or through independent suppliers?
• Does a repair guide or service manual exist? Is it published or available?
• What is the software support commitment? How many years of security updates does the manufacturer promise?
• Does the product carry a repairability score? (Some countries and independent organisations rate products.)
• Does the manufacturer offer a meaningful warranty — and what does it actually cover?
• Is the brand known for making products that last, based on independent reviews and user experience over time?
• Is there a second-hand or refurbished version available that you could buy instead?