Product Longevity
Another step taken by the company to reduce the effects their ICT caused on the environment is by using 75% less plastic in their products and packaging. They have begun to use recyclable plastic in their products, meaning once it is discarded, the plastic is then used again on other devices.
Customers believe long-lasting products that are best for the environment. We also believe products should be designed to minimize the need for repair or replacement and encourage Apple to design their products with this goal in mind.
Apple introduced the ability to Apple-Trade-In or third-party trade-in, for old devices so customers can unlock the value of their current device without the need for tossing. It also provides them with the choice of upgrading to a later device which is more affordable. With more customers able to access Apple products and services, this approach is not only good for the planet, it’s good for business.
Across their products, they develop innovative designs that are engineered to withstand the rigors of everyday use. They assess these designs against strict durability standards through testing methods that mimic realistic conditions in which customers use their products. Every product is thoroughly assessed by engineers in the Reliability Testing Lab who measure the performance of materials, components, and fully assembled products.
The durability standards established by Apple are based on in-depth user studies to understand how our customers use — and misuse — their products.
Thousands of units are tested during product development, and the results of each test inform the next round of design. A “rock tumbler” test is used to assess the performance of the outer enclosure of iPad and iPhone against scrapes and scratches. These mimics the day-to-day abrasions of coins and keys that a device may experience in a purse or backpack. For Apple Watch, engineers have created a weighted pendulum test to simulate impacts that a device may endure from an arm swinging into an object. These are in addition to drop testing, which evaluates products falling from different heights and angles onto a range of surfaces to improve their resilience to an accidental drop. The company continues to test recycled or renewable materials to the same performance standards as other materials — making sure products stay as durable as ever, even as they explore new material sources.
Below is a chart showing longevity of their products over the years.