Being Practical

Is it really necessary to replace our mobile phones with the latest model as soon as a new one is released? I can already sense those who can afford it nodding their heads. There’s nothing wrong with that, but is it ethical?

There’s an old saying, “Don’t fix it if it’s not broken.” So why replace it, or in marketing terms, “upgrade”?

People are naturally drawn to new things. A few tweaks to the camera or some added features in a new phone can make people stand in long queues to get the latest model. Marketing power words like XL, HD, 5G, or even "vegan-friendly" have conditioned consumers to think they need the newest version.

 I remember many years ago, there was a concept for a modular phone. The idea was that individual components like the camera, Bluetooth, NFC, and so on could be added or upgraded, just like pieces of a Lego set. If a new camera was released, you could simply remove the old camera block and replace it with the new one. If a new feature came out, you could just find an empty block and fit it in. This concept was similar to how computers used to be, especially when they were primarily tower models.

Why didn’t this idea take off? Although it was a good concept, it turned out to be a bit of a hassle. Consumers don’t like complicated things—they prefer to buy, open, and use without too much effort.

There’s not much incentive to keep your old phone, aside from the obvious benefit of saving money for something else. The sad reality is that operating system providers eventually stop supporting older versions, and compatibility issues with new technology arise after about 4 years.

One possible solution could be for mobile and data providers to set up a “decreasing tariff” for customers who continue using their old phones. This would help reduce electronic waste. It may be bad for the companies, but it could be a positive choice for consumers. So why not consider providers that offer second-hand units, like Music Magpie, Envirofone, Giffgaff, or Voxi with refurbished phones? These often come with lower rental fees.

It might not be appealing to everyone, but this small change can save money and be friendlier to the planet. After all, phones are primarily made for calling, anyway.