Memes

So dystopian.

It's not really as clear cut as that. Apple devices have long been known to last for longer than your typical "PC" or "Android", but there's more than comes into it.

When you're buying an Apple device, you're often paying a lot, which comes with a very good build quality and quality control (Apple is a brand with a reputation of reliability, and they want that to last). So, with a MacBook or an iPhone, you simply have no other choice but high-quality devices.

Now, whether you're considering a computer or a smartphone, you'll have a far vaster choice in "generic" PCs and "Android" than for any Apple device: this means that you'll find some devices with flagship performance tags for a fraction of the price of actual flagships. Obviously, that price doesn't come for free, and it usually means that build quality and quality control are not nearly as good as for any of the more expensive options. In the end, that comes at another price: that device will not last nearly as long (around exactly the warranty duration), and might not be as easy to repair. Moreover, when the repair is half of the price of the device (for, say, a broken touchscreen), people might not be willing to pay for the repair. Moreover, larger availability of some devices mean that the replacement parts might be easier to find, so cheaper, and more people will know how to repair the device, which also lowers the repair costs.

Since the number of units sold for either MacBooks or iPhones is far larger than any other laptop or smartphone of any other brand, especially of higher end price bracket, we see a lot more older Apple devices than of any other brand. But in the end, I think a device with an equivalent price tag as that of an Apple device should last about as long. There are exceptions, like foldables, but generally speaking, here we are.

Now, another point to consider regarding planned obsolescence is software. Apple was caught red-handed a few years ago with delivering noticeably worst performance for older devices (which is very bad), while many Android OEMs only very recently started to keep their devices updated for more than 2 years (which was even worse). That second point means that to have the shiny new Android version, you'd have to buy a new phone. This got better, but it has been less than 3 years so we haven't seen the impact of those policies yet.

Moreover, Apple's software environment is so closed and they make it so uneasy to get out of, that if you're already deep enough in their ecosystem, consumers will be far more inclined to wait to have saved enough to buy a newer Apple device, rather than going to the competition (who would go back to the blue bubble after having the green one?). This also contributes to more older Apple devices than of any other brand.

Finally, regarding laptops. Apple's latest generations of laptops have had all parts soldered onto the motherboard. This means that none of these laptops are easily upgraded or repaired, which is still not (yet) true of most of the competition. In 2012/2013 MacBooks, which we could upgrade the RAM and the SSD and buy them a few other years. However, these new generations of MacBook will not last nearly as long: a broken component becomes quite hard to repair (that means back to the Apple Store, and we know neither their repairs nor their replacement pieces are cheap), so many consumers will very likely be more willing to buy a new one than to repair their old one.

TL;DR: I do not think iPhones or MacBook inherently last longer than Windows laptops or Android smartphones, but larger numbers of cheap Windows and Android devices mean that they usually don't last nearly as long. Moreover, iPhone's software support was a lot better than Android's, until quite recently.

My 2013 Macbook is still fine, I don't particularly want to change it because that was my favourite form factor they've produced. I am the one guy in the world that loves that keyboard too.

I am on an iPhone 10 still that's been fine, haven't even had to change the battery yet.

Apple is definitely just as guilty as trying to push people to get new shit every year; they're a company just like any other that just wants your money, they aren't some magical exception the rule, but their stuff actually does last a pretty long time if you just take care of it.

The only Android devices I've seen last for years are Huawei phones.

My experience is that they do not. Every android broke after two years. My iPhone 8 is still running well after getting the battery changed.

On the flip side Apple collects all your data. Literally ALL.

Man, there’s a lot of shit one can criticize Apple for, but planned obsolescence? I’m typing this from my 2012 MacBook Air, which has my iPhone 8 plugged into it that I use for work every day. I don’t upgrade because I don’t have a need to.

I don’t upgrade because I don’t have a need to.

You don't upgrade because you can't. Apple intentionally locks down its products. And that's before getting into the numerous lawsuits over battery life and iOS slowdowns.

Apple is absolutely engaged in planned obsolescence.

My 2011 no-brand laptop still runs perfectly with the latest version of Debian, and i can replace the externaly accessible battery, as well as RAM sticks, SSD and even the DVD drive. Apple is litterally worst in class, and it's a shame so many players of the industry follow suite with all this BS.