Why a new iPhone with a year old chip could be a step towards better sustainability…

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If you were hoping to get the latest and greatest iPhone 14 with a shiny new processor…Don’t hold your breath. Consumer electronics are a very fast-paced market. They have been for a long time. For decades now, the annual slog of New devices being released with slightly faster chipsets and slightly better features has become the norm.

It’s become so normal, that we have started to expect it, and changing from that normally accepted release schedule has some iPhone fans a bit upset.

Is it a bad idea For Apple to release a new iPhone with an old processor? 

Understandably, many tech fans are upset that Apple is yet again removing features but will be charging more for them. I totally sympathize with this opinion and have been frustrated with Apple’s business practices often prioritizing design or “newness” over obviously beneficial universal standards like USB-C or the headphone jack.

But similar to the headphone jack and the lightning jack, I think the adjustment of moving from requiring new chipsets for newer phones is a step in the right direction if we want users to be more honest about what they really want from their devices.

Because in my opinion, smartphones have been released in a cyclical manner has trained us to think that we need new phones on a repeat cycle. When in reality, most people would be very very happy with a phone of 3 4, or 5 years as long as software support is there.

Is the iPhone 14 a Move toward More Profit or Sustainability? 

Apple has been the undisputed king of mobile support with Samsung getting really close in recent years. Just recently, it was reported that the Galaxy S9 is receiving the latest Android 12 update. If you are unaware, the Galaxy S9 was released at a time when 2 years of support on an Android device was the standard. But since the S9 was released running Android 9, being able to run android 11 or even android 12 is a huge accomplishment for Samsung. The pixel 3 which was released the same year and was supposed to be supported for 2 years, hasn’t been supported by Google for years now.

I think that this is a great trend towards ACTUAL sustainability in our consumption. The longer your smartphone lasts, the longer you can hold onto it and not need another smartphone. That limits waste which is what Apple claim is one of its biggest ambitions.

Now does that mean people will actually hold onto their devices for longer? Maybe. The recent economic adjustments since the pandemic and interest rates slowly returning to pre-pandemic norms mean people are taking a more serious look at their consumption and what they spend their money on.

Will Android Phones Follow the iPhone 14? 

In a recession, people traditionally stop spending money on things like trips to the movies, no necessary electronics, and streaming services. So what happens when Apple released a cheaper version of the iPhone 14 that they will maintain for longer periods of time?

Like it or not, smartphones are essential purchases for our modern era. I dare you to try and get a job without an internet-connected device. Better yet, try and schedule an interview without a phone. The reality of our existence is the device we own is less important than the fact we actually own one. And for people who know they want to buy an iPhone that will be a good investment into the future, know that the cheaper one that’s new will be supported longer than an older device that sells for the same price.

Historically speaking, anytime Apple makes a core business or feature change, Android manufacturers like Samsung and Google make fun of it for a year or so while their existing product line can “beat” Apple, but then within a couple of years, they follow suit. 

I just upgraded my Note 20 Ultra to the S22 Ultra and it’s missing almost everything that used to make Android different from Apple… what will that mean for the future of smartphones? Are we close to more Android or Apple integrations? 

Let me know, do you think this rumored change will be better or worse for consumers.

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