Underused Perceptivity of Planned Obsolescence and Its Descendants: A Conceptual Approach in the Smartphone Industry

Abstract

In an era marked by technological advancements, the lifecycle of people who use electronic gadgets, notably smartphones has come under greater attention. This portent has significant environmental implications, particularly in India, a consumer-driven country with a rapidly growing population, high literacy rates, and a population that is increasingly technically savvy and prone to adopting the latest technologies. In this context, investigating the perceptivity of Planned Obsolescence (PO); a strategy of designing and manufacturing products in such a way that it limits the lifespan of  products (Habib, 2023) and its descendants or subsequent environmental impact within the sphere of electronic waste generation in the smartphone industry is prevalent because its contemporary manifestations remain underexplored. This conceptual paper of secondary data aims to unveil a comprehensive understanding of phenomenon above and its underused perceptual dimensions; functional, aesthetic, psychological, technological, and postponement and its descendants specifically by examining how a manufacturer subtly influences consumer perception of product desirability, functionality, and life span, that would gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of driving consumption and its broader societal and environmental consequences specifically in the smartphone industry.