Today’s discussion will begin with a new document that Apple published regarding device longevity. This will then bring us to the iPhone upgrade cycle. We conclude with somewhat lighter fare pertaining to tech product launches.

Hello everyone. This week flew by. Let’s jump right in.

Apple Talks up Device Longevity

Earlier this week, Apple released a document titled “Longevity, by Design,” outlining its philosophy on device longevity and its connection to device durability and repairability.

Here’s Apple:

“At Apple, we are always working to create the best experience for our customers, which is why we design products that last. Designing for longevity is a company-wide effort, informing our earliest decisions long before the first prototype is built and guided by historical customer-use data and predictions on future usage. It requires striking a balance between durability and repairability while not compromising on safety, security, and privacy.”

The 23-page document contained several interesting data nuggets and tidbits. For example, according to Apple, 85% of the US population is within a 30-minute drive of an Apple Store, Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) location, or Independent Repair Provider (IRP). For those in the United Kingdom, the percentage is 82% with a high 89% for Italy and Germany. There were also a few handy exhibits, such as the one below:

According to Apple, they are an industry-leader when it comes to device longevity due to three factors:

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