Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple Talks up Device Longevity, Apple Provides New Clues for Estimating iPhone Upgrade Cycle, Google and Samsung Announce Product Events

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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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

The iPhone 14’s Surprise Redesign, iPhone Longevity, Changing iPhone Upgrading Trends (Daily Update)

We kick things off with Neil’s thoughts on iFixit’s iPhone 14 discovery. The discussion then expands to take a broader look at how iPhone longevity impacts Apple and the iPhone installed base. We also look at what Neil sees as changing dynamics found with iPhone upgrades. The update goes over Neil’s estimate of where the iPhone upgrade cycle had been and where it is likely headed.


September 20th, 2022: The iPhone 14’s Surprise Redesign, iPhone Longevity, Changing iPhone Upgrading Trends

Hello everyone. Today’s update will have an iPhone focus. Let’s jump right in.


The iPhone 14’s Surprise Redesign

iFixit is a publication dedicated to educating people on device repair. The site is known for its device teardowns.

In recent years, iFixit has moved more into advocacy and opinion, presumably because it’s good for business. iFixit makes money by selling device parts, replacement tools, and repair kits. This means it’s in their interest to talk up what it views as device repair injustices – that’s putting it nicely as to what they have been doing.

With that said, the following post from iFixit caught my attention.

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Above Avalon Membership

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The daily updates have become widely read and influential in the world of Apple and technology. They are unmatched in the marketplace in terms of comprehensive analysis and research on all things Apple. Members reside in 60 countries and hold a diverse range of backgrounds and occupations. They include Silicon Valley executives and investors, the largest Apple shareholders, and the leading Apple journalists in the business.

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