Have you ever thought about why your smartphone, laptop, or home appliance suddenly ceases to work immediately after its warranty is over? Or why, when you bring it to a service centre, does the technician reply that it is not repairable? You’re not alone.
It is frustrating that millions of users each year cannot use their devices any longer due to them being unusable, and not necessarily because of accidental damage.
A modern technological world moves very fast, and devices are getting slimmer, smarter and more efficient. This tendency is closely related to such a concept as planned obsolescence, when manufacturers make devices deliberately short-lived.
Here, we will deconstruct the reasons why some devices are not repairable, how planned obsolescence functions, and what consumers can do to safeguard their investment.
What Makes a Device Unrepairable?
A broken gadget cannot be repaired or brought back to life even under the watch of professional technicians. This may be because of several reasons – hardware constraint, design, unavailability of spare parts, or software limitation. The cost of repair is in most instances too expensive such that it is better to do away with the device and get a new one.
To illustrate this, some smartphones and laptops have tightly sealed parts, glued batteries, or soldered memory chips, making them virtually impossible to fix without special equipment. The failure of one component brings about the failure of the whole device in most cases.
The Reason Why Companies Build Unfixable Products
Both causes of non-repairable devices are multi-faceted and may include business strategy, design constraints, and consumer demands. We shall take a closer look at the core reasons:
1. Slim and Compact Designs
Contemporary consumers want smooth and lightweight devices. In order to attain these designs, manufacturers may glue, rather than screw, the parts and put several circuitry parts on one circuit board. Although this appears to be beautiful, it renders the interior repairs very hard.
An example of this is that when a battery needs to be changed in an ultra-thin laptop, it could take time tearing down the entire piece, and this is dangerous.
2. Proprietary Parts and Tools
Several firms have proprietary screws, chips or connectors that may only be opened with brand-specific tools. These parts are not readily available to independent repair shops or local technicians, rendering the device essentially unserviceable at unauthorised centres.
3. Complex Integrated Systems
There are devices that are now integrating both hardware and software in complicated ways. Even a minor failure of a single chip or circuit can make the entire device useless. These components may be solder pads; it may not be possible to replace one component.
4. Low Availability of Spare Parts
The manufacturers usually cease the production of spares of the old models within just a few years after introduction. In the absence of these components, it will not be able to repair it, even in cases of a minor defect.
5. Security Barriers and Software Locks
There are others that are fitted with electronic locks that do not allow unauthorised repairs. Even when you change a broken part, the machine may not accept it unless it is approved by the manufacturer, a rising pattern in the technology world.
6. Promoting Frequent Upgrades.
The companies cause people to indirectly upgrade to new models by making their devices more difficult to repair. The upgrade and disposal cycle is an upgrade that is financially advantageous but is adversely affecting customers and the environment.
Are All Good Devices Unrepairable?
Not always. Other devices are declared as unrepairable just because the manufacturers do not want to encourage third-party repairs. The majority of such devices can be repaired with the appropriate knowledge and equipment, but the chances of increased risk or cost can be considerable.
This is the reason why it is important to select reputable repair services such as Terabyte Electronics. Experienced professionals with access to quality tools may be able to restore a device that would be considered dead by others.
How to Protect Yourself from Planned Obsolescence?
While you can’t completely avoid planned obsolescence, you can take a few smart steps to minimize its impact:
1. Buy from repair-friendly brands. Research which manufacturers support long-term updates and offer spare parts.
2. Maintain your devices properly. Regular cleaning, software updates, and protective covers can extend a device’s life.
3. Choose repair over replacement. If your device malfunctions, consult professional repair services like Terabyte Electronics before deciding to buy a new one.
4. Support the right-to-repair initiatives. Advocate for laws that give consumers more control over their devices.
5. Backup your data regularly. This ensures you don’t lose valuable information if a device suddenly fails.
Conclusion
The trend of unrepairable devices is not just a technical issue — it’s a deliberate business strategy rooted in planned obsolescence. While this benefits manufacturers, it often leaves consumers paying the price in the form of frequent replacements, financial strain, and mounting e-waste.
However, by understanding these practices and making informed decisions, you can break free from the cycle. Choose repair over replacement, support sustainable tech brands, and rely on trusted professionals like Terabyte Electronics for honest, efficient repair services.
Your devices deserve a second life — and at Terabyte Electronics, we make sure they get one.