BCS: Extend the lifespan of smartphones to tackle chip shortages

Smartphones and laptops should be manufactured to last longer in order to combat chip shortages, BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, has said.

The ongoing issues with the production and supply of semiconductors has exposed the "underlying problem" of pushing consumers towards frequent upgrades of smartphones, tablets and other devices, according to the IT industry body.

Both US and European governments have announced plans to tackle the global chip shortage, though the situation is not predicted to ease until the end of 2022.

However, the billions of pounds invested in these plans should have more focus on the growing mountain of electronic waste, according to BCS, which argues that it has the potential to add years to the lifespan of our devices.

"The underlying challenge that must be addressed is the very short lifespan of devices," said Alex Bardell, Chair of BCS Green IT Specialist Group. "The business model for electronics firms is to push their products, like smartphones, on ever-smaller time cycles as a way of generating revenue."

Bardell argues that users wouldn't need as many new devices if laptops, tablets and smartphones lasted for 10 years without "grinding to a halt". The idea goes against the business models of most manufacturers, but Bardell points out that there are not many other consumer products that become obsolete after three years.

A number of smartphone manufacturers have made changes to combat e-waste, though none of these appears to be due to the chip shortage. Companies like Samsung and Apple no longer ship chargers with their new handsets, for example, nd update cycles are extending for some smartphones.

However, the consumption rate of electronics is increasing by 3% annually, particularly in the smartphone industry, which is a key contributor to e-waste, according to the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Forum.

Consumers themselves also want longer device lifespans, according to data from CCS Insight, with 46% of UK consumers citing it as the most important thing a company can do to address environmental concerns.

"We fear that the desire for more prolonged use and repairability will fall on deaf ears as the electronics industry doesn't have a big vested interest in prolonging its product life cycles nor is it particularly beneficial to them to make their products more repairable at present," Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight told IT Pro.

"We note that most device makers continue to develop products on an annual cycle and to change that would be to fundamentally change the way the industry largely works."